Topolanek elected new Civic Democrats' chairman

The Deputy Chairman of the Senate, Mirek Topolanek, has been elected chairman of the opposition Civic Democratic Party at the party's weekend congress in the West Bohemian town of Frantiskovy Lazne. Mr Topolanek replaces former Prime Minister and Chairman of the lower house, Vaclav Klaus who did not seek re-election after almost twelve years at the head of the party which he founded in 1991. Mr Klaus intends to run for the post of Czech President early next year.