Govt wants to push through direct presidential election

Prague, Nov 24 (CTK) - The Czech government coalition wants to push through constitutional changes in mid-2011 that would enable a direct presidential election in 2013, and it plans a debate on the issue with the opposition Social Democrats (CSSD), TOP 09 deputy group head Petr Gazdik told CTK yesterday.

Justice Minister Jiri Pospisil (Civic Democrats, ODS) will submit the respective proposals to the cabinet next week.

"Then we will hold a round-table debate to find out what form of the next presidential election the opposition prefers," said Gazdik.

The leaders of the government coalition of the ODS, TOP 09 and Public Affairs (VV) discussed the plan to push through a direct presidential elections yesterday.

Gazdik said it is one the cabinet's priorities for next year.

A one-round election or two alternatives of two-round election can be taken into consideration.

There is a chance of pushing through a direct presidential election in parliament now as both the government parties, who have it embedded in their coalition agreement, and the CSSD support it.

So far the president has been elected by both houses of parliament at their joint session.

The second and last five-year term in office of current President Vaclav Klaus expires in 2013. Under the constitution Klaus (elected in 2003 and re-elected in 2008) cannot run for the third time. His successor might be elected by the public for the first time.

The first possible names of presidential candidates have already surfaced in the media.

Former Senate chairman Premysl Sobotka (ODS) expressed interest in presidential candidacy and TOP 09 chairman and Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg did not rule out that he might run in a direct presidential election.