Jiri Paroubek

Jiri Paroubek is a former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. He is currently the leader of the Czech Social Democratic Party (CCSD), the leading opposition party in the Czech government. Paroubek was an active leader throughout the lengthy proceedings of the 2008 presidential election.

Although he was not a candidate, Paroubek was very active in the 2008 presidential election. Before the election even took place, he suggested a direct, popular election instead of the traditional indirect process.CeskeNoviny.cz: Direct presidential election extreme possibility (February 7) As the leader of the Czech Social Democratic Party, he steadied his party after the failed first round of voting.CeskeNoviny.cz: Czech Social Democrats not to question presidential results (February 9, 2008)