Forming The New Czech Government Will Take Longer

12 Jun 2006, 13:22 - Politics
Mirek Topolánek, leader of the winning party - Civic Democratic Party (ODS) - of the Czech parliamentary election, tries to form new government with Christian Democrats (KDU-ČSL) and Greens (SZ). This is going to be hard. Parties have altogether only 100 seats from two hundred Lower Chamber of the Czech Parliament. It is not enough for the new government, that need at least 101 votes to be approved.

ODS now hopes to attract some representatives (deputies) from the rival Social Democrats (ČSSD) to support the coalition government. But after Saturday meeting of the ČSSD it seems unlikely. All deputies were »forced« to sign the document that they will not support any non-left government.

The fifth group in the Chamber are Communists (KSČM). Jiří Paroubek, ČSSD leader, and so far Prime Minister, hoped to form minority government with thier support. They have the same »one hundred« weight.

Stalemate situation could be solved by preliminary election together with change of the voting systém or by grand coalition of ODS and ČSSD. Leaders refuse both options at the moment.