France and Italy had also put up candidates for the post.

So far at least six other parties have announced that they will put up candidates.

Three further smaller parties which had not fought the general election put up candidates.

"You've got to have a convention to make nominations, if you're going to put up candidates," Karen said.

The party has not put up candidates in recent presidential elections.

In all over 60 parties and groups put up candidates.

"We are not putting up candidates for bankruptcy," he said.

These are aside from the parties that put up candidates, and may belong to any coalition.

Republicans began putting up strong candidates for the open seats.

Only the 13 legalized opposition groups which had participated at the conference were allowed to put up candidates.