Communist delegates gather in Hradec Králové for party congress

Delegates have been gathering in Hradec Králové for the Communist Party’s congress, aimed at addressing the party’s future as well as electing its leader. Current party head Vojtěch Filip spoke on Saturday, slamming other parliamentary parties on both the political left and right. Ties between the Communists and the Social Democrats, for example, have cooled since the parties failed to agree on a strategy to block the re-election of Czech President Václav Klaus. Mr Filip suggested the Communists needed to be more aggressive, a so-called “pike” in political waters. Mr Filip is being challenged for the post of party leader by three opponents including Euro MP Miloslav Ransdorf. He is expected to retain the chairmanship.