MIREK TOPOLANEK, LEADER OF THE CZECH CONSERVATIVE CIVIC DEMOCRATS, DECLARED VICTORY OVER THE RULING SOCIAL DEMOCRATS IN A CLOSE GENERAL ELECTION THAT FINISHED ON SATURDAY, ACCORDING TO REUTERS. "THE CIVIC DEMOCRATS, BY ALL MEANS, HAVE WON THE ELECTION," HE SAID IN A LIVE TELEVISION INTERVIEW. WITH 99 PERCENT OF THE VOTES COUNTED, THE CIVIC DEMOCRATS HAD 35.3 PERCENT OF THE VOTE, COMPARED TO 32.4 PERCENT FOR THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS.
