Svejnar meets senators to discuss presidential bid

Jan Svejnar, who is being tipped as a rival to Vaclav Klaus in next year's presidential elections, met senators on Wednesday to discuss his candidacy. The meeting was organized by senators from the opposition Social Democratic Party, which has said that it will support Mr Svejnar's bid if he can canvas enough support from across the political spectrum. The respected economist already has the support of the Green Party and the European Democrats. To beat Vaclav Klaus in February's elections, Mr Svejnar would need the votes of both the Communists and the Christian Democrats on top of those already pledged. He is still to announce whether he will actually run against Mr Klaus for the presidency. Jan Svejnar has spent most of his life in the United States. He was an economic advisor to former president Vaclav Havel for almost a decade. He is 54 years old.