ODS to hold election congress in Brno on Nov 2-4

Prague, Oct 9 (CTK) - The Czech senior government Civic Democrats (ODS) will hold their congress to elect the party's chairman and other leadership members in Brno on November 2-4, Prime Minister and ODS head Petr Necas has decided, ODS spokesman Tomas Bartovsky said Tuesday.

The congress that may be of key importance for the government's fate will take place three weeks after the regional and Senate elections to be held on October 12-13.

The second round of the Senate elections will follow one week later.

Just before the congress, at the end of October, the Chamber of Deputies is to make a decision on the government-sponsored package of tax changes aimed to stabilise public finances and that has split the ODS deputy group.

The government has tied its passing with a vote of confidence.

According to information from the ODS it was obvious that Necas will take some time after the regional elections for negotiations on regional coalitions.

The previous ODS congresses were held in Prague.

The congress will probably result in changes in the posts of party deputy chairpersons.

Necas's position at the head of the ODS and the government may also be challenged at the congress.

Six rebellious ODS lawmakers, headed by former ODS deputy group chairman Petr Tluchor, say they do not want to "sink" the government.

However, they continue to demand big changes to be made in the government stabilisation package and they are collecting voices in their support in regions.

Necas's position at the congress will be much more difficult than after the mid-2010 general election when he could already count with the ODS's centre-right government coalition with TOP 09 and Public Affairs (VV).

Industry and Trade Minister Martin Kuba has already shown interest in the post of ODS deputy chairman.

He has dismissed speculations about that he would want to replace Necas as party chairman, but he says he wants the work of the ODS leadership to change.

Miroslava Nemcova, Chamber fo Deputies chairwoman, wants to seek re-election as ODS first deputy head.

The other ODS deputy chairpersons have not said whether they will seek re-election. They are waiting for the developments in their regions and for the results of the weekend elections.

Necas's critic Boris Stastny has made it clear he would like to become a member of the party leadership.

Mayor of Prague Bohuslav Svoboda, who is Necas's ally, has also been spoken about as a possible candidate for the post of party deputy chairman.