PRAGUE — The next Czech president will be chosen from former prime ministers, the current foreign minister, lawmakers, an actress and an artist whose body is tattooed all over. The Interior Ministry said Friday eight candidates have met the criteria to be candidates. For the first time the president will be elected in a popular vote. Both the country's presidents since the 1989 Velvet Revolution were elected by parliament. But bickering during those votes led parliament to take the decision on who occupies the largely ceremonial post out of the hands of lawmakers. The first round is scheduled for Jan. 11-12, with a runoff two weeks later. — AP
