News site: Czech president could leave Civic Democratic Party

The Czech news website idnes has reported that President Václav Klaus may leave the Civic Democratic Party, which he founded and led in government in the 1990s. Sources say Mr Klaus, who is the party’s honorary chairman, may consider the move in support of a new right-wing euro-sceptical party which is reportedly being considered by a number of Klaus protégés. The president has discounted suggestions of leaving so far, saying he would remain in the party in the coming days. The Czech president has long been at odds with current Civic Democrat leader Mirek Topolánek and is said to support Prague Mayor Pavel Bém, who will challenge Mr Topolánek for the top job when the Civic Democrats hold their party congress in December.