Sobotka critical of possible move on part of president

In related news, highly-placed Civic Democrat Přemysl Sobotka, the Senate chairman, said on Friday that support by the president for another party would be a “betrayal”. He also suggested that such a move by Mr Klaus would be a repudiation of his past efforts as a politician. By contrast, Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek said on Friday that he would respect the president’s decision if Mr Klaus decided to leave the Civic Democratic Party. He also said he understood Mr Klaus's words that he might leave for another party as "confirmation" the president would not be attending the Civic Democrats' congress.

Also in the news, the Czech media reported on Friday that the president’s son, Václav Klaus, jr, has already left Civic Democrat ranks, apparently disillusioned with a Prague chapter's backing of current party leader Mirek Topolánek.