Civic Democrat challenger reveals consultations with President Klaus

Prague Mayor Pavel Bém, who late Monday announced his intention to challenge PM Mirek Topolánek for the Civic Democrat leadership, has revealed that he consulted with the Czech president over his decision. President Václav Klaus is the honorary head of the Civic Democrats and is widely viewed as having a fraught relationship with Mr Topolánek. During an interview on the matter, Mr Bém revealed that Mr Klaus had told him that if there were not change in the leadership of the party, it could find itself in electoral difficulties in the future. The conversation apparently took place shortly after the Civic Democrats suffered an overwhelming defeat in recent regional and senate elections. In separate comments, Mr Klaus has also stated that the elections were a referendum on the current PM’s leadership. A leadership contest will likely take place during the planned Civic Democrat party congress scheduled for December.