Social Democrats begin Prague conference

The opposition Social Democrats have begun a three-day party conference at Prague’s Industrial Palace. 600 delegates are taking part to elect new deputy leaders as well as to re-elect Jiří Paroubek as party head. He faces no challengers. One of the main speakers at the congress on Friday was Czech President Václav Klaus, who accepted for the first time an invitation by the leftist party. His speech was closely-watched, as it came days ahead of a key no-confidence vote on the current government. The president declined to comment the upcoming vote, but suggested that during the period of economic crisis political parties needed to display extra responsibility in the interests of the country.

Party leader Jiří Paroubek, who spoke at the start of the conference, revealed that even if the centre-right government was defeated in Tuesday’s vote, he was in favour of it completing the Czech EU presidency.