Prague - US-based economist Jan Švejnar, former presidential hopeful in February 2008 presidential election, has been asked by the Social Democratic Party to front the party's campaign for the European Parliament elections next year.

Jan Švejnar turned down the offer. "It was not an official offer, rather a question whether I would accept such a role," Švejnar said for Aktuálně.cz.

"I want to be publicly active even after the presidential election, but politics is not my priority now. We will see how things will develop."

Aktuálně.cz has learned that it was Social Democrats' head Jiří Paroubek who suggested Jan Švejnar  become the face of the Social Democrats' ballot.

Paroubek has indirectly admitted his plea was unsuccessful. "I think it will not be Švejnar", Paroubek said for Aktuálně.cz when asked about who will head the Social Democratic Party's ballot. "It is too early to ask," he added.

"My value lies in my independence"

In May 2008, three months after the presidential election, Švejnar spoke at the Social Democratic conference in Pardubice where he was invited to assist during the preparation of the Party's electoral program.

However, Švejnar intends to stay politically independent. "My value lies in my independence I have preserved and I would like to preserve in the future," he said in the spring this year.

Švejnar does not rule out the possibility to run for president in 2013. "If the public wants me to serve, then I will [run for president]," he admitted.

Michigan University Professor Jan Švejnar who has Czech and US citizenships has said earlier he plans to found a think-tank that would analyze and influence Czech politics to improve economic and social situation of the country.