Prague mayor not to run for top party post

Prague Mayor Pavel Bém will not run for the post of chairman of the Civic Democratic Party at the party’s national conference in the autumn, the E15 internet daily reported. Mr Bém said the party conference should confirm Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek in the post. The Prague mayor, who is considered to be the prime minister’s main rival in the party, said his potential victory over Mr Topolánek could spark a confrontation that could weaken the governing coalition.