Record number of candidates to compete in European elections

A record 857 candidates are standing for the 21 European Parliament seats allotted to the Czech Republic in May’s elections, the ČTK news agency reported on Thursday. This compares with the 708 candidates five years ago and 800 in 2004. The number of seats this time round for Czech MEPs has fallen to 21 from 22. The elections are being held on May 23 and 24.