Members weigh departure from Christian Democratic Party after election of new party chief

Many members of the Christian Democratic Party are considering abandoning the party following the election of Cyril Svoboda to the post of party chairman at the weekend. In a poll conducted by the Czech Press Agency, roughly half of the regional chapters of the party reported that members are currently weighing their options. It is believed some party members will be waiting for the next move by former chairman Miroslav Kalousek, who is expected to form his own party. Others have said they will remain with the party or leave it based on the first decisions made by the new party leadership.