Vaclav Klaus the first official candidate for Czech presidency

The leader of the opposition Civic Democrats Vaclav Klaus has become the first official candidate for the post of Czech president, with his party submitting his candidacy Thursday. Mr Klaus's candidacy was confirmed by the lower house's election committee chairman Pavel Hojda, who said the committee would discuss his nomination next week. The next Czech president, after Vaclav Havel steps down, will be elected by the both houses of parliament - the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, with the first round of the presidential elections taking place on January 15th, 2003.