TOP 09 to bet on Niedermayer in upcoming European elections

Centre-right opposition party TOP 09 has announced Luděk Niedermayer will head its candidates’ list in elections to the European Parliament scheduled for May. The former vice governor of the country’s central bank (ČNB), the party is hoping, will boost its chances at the polls. TOP 09, led by former foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg, is aiming for a strong result and to try and recover voters lost in the domestic election last year. On Wednesday, Mr Schwarzenberg had only praise for Mr Niedermayer, suggesting his talent as an economist bested those of many in Czech politics. Mr Niedermayer was vice governor of the Czech National Bank from 2000 to 2008.