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PRAGUE (AP) — A popular pop music songwriter is in the running to become the Czech Republic's next president.
Michal Horacek, 64, announced his decision Thursday. He's considered the first serious candidate to challenge President Milos Zeman in the election for the largely ceremonial post, which is planned for early 2018.
Horacek, a former co-owner of a betting agency, says he is not affiliated with any political party and is ready to finance his campaign by himself.
In the 1989 Velvet Revolution, Horacek helped organize talks between the communist regime and anti-communist dissidents led by playwright Vaclav Havel.
Zeman, who divides the nation with his pro-Russia stance, support for closer ties with China and strong anti-migrant rhetoric, has not yet said if he plans to seek re-election.
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