Former prime minister Vladimír Špidla selected for senate seat

Former Social Democrat prime minister and European Commissioner, Vladimír Špidla has been selected to fight for at the south Bohemian town of Český Krumlov for a seat in the upper house. The decision to select Mr Špidla was taken unanimously by local party representatives on Saturday. Mr Špidla, 59, recently ended his term as commissioner for labour and social affairs and said he perhaps had another 10 years of public life ahead of him. The Senate elections will take place in the autumn.