Motejl: I still want to stand for president

Meanwhile Mr Motejl has said he still wants to stand in the election, despite his poor showing in the poll. The popular ombudsman came third, behind Mr Zeman and also outsider Jaroslav Bures. However Mr Motejl remains highly popular among the general public, and observers say he is the only candidate who enjoys sufficient cross-party support in parliament to be elected. The Social Democrats have until December 7th to choose a candidate. The election itself takes place on January 15th in a joint session of the upper and lower house. President Vaclav Havel steps down on February 2nd after 13 years in the post.