Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek will take over leadership of the European Union when the Czech Republic assumes the bloc's rotating presidency in January. Here are some key details about the Topolanek
* EU PRESIDENCY:
— Topolanek’s minority government has been hobbled by internal rows and must rely on independent deputies in key votes. With support of only 96 seats in the 200-member lower house, Topolanek faces difficult votes on the EU’s Lisbon reform treaty and agreements to host elements of a U.S. missile shield.
— Topolanek is more consensual on EU matters than staunchly eurosceptic President Vaclav Klaus and grudgingly backs Lisbon, saying he does not like it but it is a price worth paying for being part of Europe.
* TOPOLANEK AND POLITICS:
— Topolanek is a strong supporter of NATO and close relations with the United States.
— While an anti-communist, Topolanek has a largely pragmatic and approach to politics and is ready to negotiate deals with opponents.
— He supports free markets and is wary of closer European integration that would take away national sovereignty.
— He does not want to rush to adopt the euro but does want to join eventually when it is favourable for the Czech Republic.
— Topolanek suffered a blow in October when the leftist opposition trounced the government in regional elections.
— But he won a new mandate to lead the right-wing ruling Civic Democrat Party early this month, in a vote confirming him as head of government and defeating a eurosceptic wing.
* LIFE DETAILS:
— Topolanek, born in the eastern town of Vsetin in May 1956, is a trained engineer and businessman.
— Elected leader of the Civic Democrat party in 2002, he has been a member since 1994. He replaced Klaus, the current president and the country’s most popular politician.
— He became Czech prime minister in 2006 as the head of a shaky coalition following a stalemate in the 2006 elections. His Civic Democrats, along with two centrist allies, controlled as many seats as opposition leftists in the 200-seat lower house.
— The father of four is separated from his wife Pavla and lives with Lucie Talmanova, a member of the Civic Democrats and deputy speaker of the lower house. They have a son together.
— The towering tennis fan occasionally fails to control his temper. He punched a photographer who took pictures of him and his baby son in October. Under pressure from his party, he promised this month to change his ways and work on his image.
