Party platforms support direct presidential election

The Czech Press Agency reports that the main political parties are primarily united in their support for direct election of the Czech president by the voters. The president is currently elected by a joint session of the Parliament from party nominees. The Social Democrats and the Civic Democrats have each put forward constitutional amendments for direct presidential elections; the former has received a second reading but will not be passed before parliamentary elections at the end of May. Direct presidential elections are also supported in the platforms of the Communist and Green parties, TOP 09 and Public Affairs; most disagreement involves the number of rounds such an election should allow for in the event of a tie.