Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek has said he would like to see Health Minister
David Rath head the Social Democrats' list of Prague candidates in
national
elections next June. The prime minister made the statement on Thursday,
stressing that the Social Democrats needed a strong leader in Prague to
face off against opposition Civic Democrat chairman Mirek Topolanek. The
Social Democrats have been seeking for an appropriate candidate for some
time. Previously, the prime minister pushed for the deputy prime minister
for the economy, Martin Jahn, to top the list, but Mr Jahn turned his
offer down. Former Czech EU Commissioner Pavel Telicka was also
considered, but he also refused.
So far, the Health Minister David Rath has viewed the offer favourably,
saying he was likely "to accept".