Marián Jurečka has been elected chairman of the Christian Democrats at a
party congress in Prague on Saturday. Mr Jurečka, former agriculture
minister, received 205 out of 357 votes. Šárka Jelínková was elected
first deputy chair.
Unlike his main rival for the post, Jan Bartošek, the new chairman is
reserved about possible cooperation with the current opposition parties and
has not categorically ruled out collaboration with the ruling ANO party.
Speaking to delegates after his election, Mr Jurečka said the Czech
Republic needs people who want children. He also said he wanted to focus on
the problem of housing shortage.
The outgoing leader of the Christian Democrats, Marek Výborný, who has
been in the post for less than a year, has stepped down following his
wife’s sudden death in late September.