Paroubek to stand in regions to avoid possible Prague battle with Topolanek

The prime minister, Jiri Paroubek, looks set to stand as a Social Democrat candidate in the Usti nad Labem region in general elections next year, two Czech dailies reported on Thursday. Mr Paroubek currently represents Prague and may have wished to avoid a possible head-to-head battle with Mirek Topolanek, chairman of the opposition Civic Democrats; his party are traditionally strong in the Prague area.

Author: Ian Willoughby