Political observers would put their money on Klaus

Political observers say incumbent president Vaclav Klaus has a better change of succeeding in February’s presidential elections than his sole rival Czech-American professor of economics Jan Svejnar. Mr. Klaus has received support from the Civic Democrats - the strongest parliamentary party. In order to beat him Mr. Svejnar would need the votes of the Social Democrats, the Communists and the Greens. Although the Social Democrats and the Greens have promised to support him the Communists are hesitant to commit. Jan Svejnar announced his decision to run in the elections on Friday stressing his pro-European stance and saying he wanted to present a real alternative to Vaclav Klaus.