Prague, Dec 8 (CTK) – Frantisek Laudat became head of the Czech opposition TOP 09 and Mayors deputy group yesterday, replacing Miroslav Kalousek, who was elected TOP 09 chairman at the November congress, the party has announced in a press release.
Laudat, who was the deputy group´s head to date, was elected unanimously at a meeting of the TOP 09 and Mayors deputy group yesterday. He had no rival candidate.
The division of the posts of party chairperson and deputy group head between two persons is advantageous for the party mainly over the preferential rights to speak up in debates in the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of parliament, since they both enjoy them.
Marek Zenisek and Michal Kucera remain deputy heads of the TOP 09 and Mayors group. It newly elected Vaclav Horacek and Anna Putnova deputy heads to replace Laudat and Jitka Chalankova.
“Our deputy group has long been fighting against the government proposals restricting the freedom of citizens, and will keep doing it,” Laudat said.
Kalousek also became deputy head of the lower house budget committee, replacing Civic Democrat (ODS) deputy group head Zbynek Stanjura, some time ago.
