President to remain vocal in politics even after leaving office…

Czech President Václav Klaus – who has 80 days remaining in office – has said he intends to remain vocal in Czech and international politics even after completing his second and final term. Speaking on a Sunday debate programme on private broadcaster TV Prima, Mr Klaus also discussed the upcoming direct presidential election. He refused to name his favourite in the field of nine candidates but in the past expressed indirect support for former Social Democrat prime minister Miloš Zeman, who he referred to as the “only real politician” in the group. Earlier, he also expressed fears that a candidate like Tomio Okumara (currently not in the running) or tattooed composer and artist Vladimír Franz would succeed him. Mr Klaus said if he were to openly endorse a candidate now it would be a “kiss of death” for the person in question.