Gandalovič says Topolánek should seek vote of confidence at Civic Democrats conference

Civic Democrats deputy-chairman Petr Gandalovič says the party’s leader, Mirek Topolánek, should seek a vote of confidence at a party conference next month. Mr Gandalovič told Czech Radio that if Mr Topolánek says he wants a stronger mandate from the Civic Democrats, he should confirm that mandate in some way. He said he would put himself forward for the chairman’s post if Mr Topolánek did not receive such a mandate. Just a few days ago the Civic Democrats leader said November’s party conference would concentrate on policy and would probably not feature leadership elections.

Mr Topolánek has dismissed a possible challenge from Mr Gandalovič, saying he was neither a new face nor a real challenger. The former has headed the right-of-centre Civic Democrats for seven years and was prime minister between 2006 and earlier this year.