Artist Franz to seek post of Czech president

Prague, Aug 1 (CTK) - Vladimir Franz, a university teacher, painter and composer, plans to seek the post of Czech president in the early 2013 direct presidential election, he told CTK Wednesday.

He said he would soon start collecting the 50,000 signatures a candidate needs for his candidacy to be accepted.

Franz, 53, is known for his striking appearance. He has tattoos all over his face and body, which makes their colour look blue.

About ten persons have announced their plan to run for president so far. According to the Tipsort betting company, Franz's chances of being elected are not high now, but still higher than those of some other candidates, such as Christian Democrat MEP Zuzana Roithova or Sovereignty party leader Jana Bobosikova.

According to public opinion polls, the favourites of the election are former caretaker cabinet head Jan Fischer (unaffiliated), former Social Democrat (CSSD) prime minister Milos Zeman (now honorary chairman of the SPOZ party) and liberal economist Jan Svejnar, who still hesitates on whether to seek presidency.

The Czechs will choose the next president in direct polls for the first time in early 2013, shortly before the incumbent President Vaclav Klaus's second and final possible tenure expires.