Several 2018 Czech presidential hopefuls, including former PM Mirek Topolánek, might be facing a problem regarding the validity of their candidacies. Based on 2013 legislation, presidential candidates were able to receive a vote from one parliament member or senator. This law has since been amended, causing a great deal of confusion. Experts believe that the law that applied during the 2013 election should still be valid in 2018. Constitutional attorney Jan Kysela believes that if a parliament member or senator votes for more than one candidate, his or her votes should not be counted. Former constitutional judge Eliška Wagnerová also says that each lawmaker can only support one presidential candidate. However, this would mean that Topolánek would be left with only seven votes. He needs 10 votes in order to run. If the government allows candidates to secure multiple votes, some political analysts fear the courts would be asked to intervene.
