Prague, Jan 15: Czech legislators have begun the process of electing a successor to President Vaclav Havel, but with no strong favourite at hand a lengthy battle to replace East Europe`s last dissident leader is likely. The former playwright`s second and final term will end on February 2 and a political standoff looms that could leave the presidential seat at the Ancient Prague Castle empty for months.

A decade ago, the politically unaffiliated Havel, leader of the non-violent ``velvet revolution`` that overthrew communism in the former Czechoslovakia, was a natural choice to lead the country, but none of the current candidates has the same cachet. Havel, 66, has kept power for longer than any other post-communist European leader, and is the last of those who helped tear down the iron curtain to hold office. But under the constitution he cannot seek a third consecutive five-year term.

That aside, his health is poor. He has had part of his lung removed because of cancer and spent 230 days in hospital during his tenure, and another 450 on holiday and medical leave. Bureau Report