Paroubek: Social Democrats to decide within two months on candidate for president

The Social Democrats should decide on their candidate for next year's presidential election within two months, chairman Jiri Paroubek said on Sunday. Speaking on Czech Television, Mr Paroubek said he wanted to put forward a resolution at his party's next conference against any of the Social Democrats' MPs or senators voting for the incumbent Vaclav Klaus in the bicameral secret vote. He said his party were willing to put aside their own interests in order to see the president replaced. Mr Paroubek also criticised Mr Klaus for remaining honorary chairman of the Civic Democrats after he became Czech president.