Friends of Zeman hold conference in Prague

The civic association Friends of Miloš Zeman held its constituent assembly at Prague’s Congress Centre on Saturday. Around 500 supporters of the former Social Democrat leader and prime minister turned out for the meeting. Mr Zeman, who is 64, insists he has no desire to seek political office again. However, members of his new organisation have said they will back him to become president, a post he failed to win in 2003.

Elsewhere, the current leadership of Mr Zeman’s former party the Social Democrats held a rally attended by around 4,000 supporters on Říp mountain in central Bohemia on Saturday. The peak is associated with Czech history and legends and is climbed by various groups every year.