Roithová files candidacy to run for president

Prague, Oct 29 (CTK) - Zuzana Roithova, a Czech Christian Democrat (KDU-CSL) MEP, officially submitted her candidature for the post of president by presenting a petition signed by 81,000 people yesterday.

The presidential candidate's nomination can be submitted by every adult citizen who presents a petition with minimally 50,000 signatures, or by at least 20 deputies or ten senators.

The first two-round direct presidential election in the Czech Republic will be held in January, 2013. Until now, the president has been elected by the two houses of parliament.

The second and last five-year term of current President Vaclav Klaus expires in early March 2013.

Roithova's bid was presented by university teacher Jan Sokol, himself a presidential candidate in 2003 when he was defeated by Klaus.

Roithova said she would continue with her election campaign.

"Now it will be more intensive than ever. I will also wait for the report checking the authenticity of the signatures," Roithova.

According to the latest public opinion polls, Roithova's chances are meagre.

Former Czech caretaker prime minister Jan Fischer and former Social Democrat (CSSD) prime minister Jan Zeman are the favourites of the contest with roughly 30 and 20 percent of support, respectively.

The biggest parties, the CSSD, the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and TOP 09, have nominated senator Jiri Dienstbier, Senate deputy chairman Premysl Sobotka and Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, respectively.