Vice-chairman Nečas is set to lead Civic Democrats into May elections

Civic Democratic Party vice-chairman Petr Nečas is to lead the party to May’s general elections, after the head of the party, Mírek Topolánek, resigned as election leader on Thursday. Mr. Topolánek gave in to pressure from the party leadership to take a back-seat following a scandal over unfortunate remarks he made relating to Jews and gays. He remains head of the party, although he has been urged to consider resigning from that post as well. Petr Nečas said he was prepared to work hard to make sure that the Civic Democrats were in “high gear” throughout the election campaign. Regarding any ambition to succeed Mr Topolánek as party leader, he said only that he would at present be concentrating fully on the upcoming elections. Petr Nečas was the minister of labour and social affairs under the previous government, which was led by the Civic Democratic Party. Parliamentary elections are to take place on May 28-29.