Okamura party MEP plans presidential run

A member of the European Parliament for Tomio Okamura’s Freedom and Direct Democracy party, Hynek Blaško, says he wants to run for president in elections early next year. Mr. Blaško announced his intention on Facebook and called on his supporters to help provide the 50,000 signatories required to stand for the position of head of state, Czech Television reported.

Over a dozen people have to date said they will run for the post, while other expected candidates, including ex-PM Andrej Babiš, have yet to officially throw their hats into the ring.