CTK: Unofficially, some Social Democrats would prefer party to go into opposition

The CTK news agency has reported that some Social Democrat MPs have admitted unofficially they would prefer their party to go into opposition, favouring a negotiated agreement with the right-of-centre Civic Democrats. Such an agreement would allow the right-of-centre party to govern for the next four years. The CTK cited an unnamed source within the Social Democratic Party, who said, by the same token the apparent "dissenters" would not support or tolerate the coalition government in next Friday's confidence vote, and would follow the Social Democrats deputy group's recommendation. Party leader Jiri Paroubek and others including deputies' group leader Martin Hasek have repeatedly ruled out tolerance for Mr Topolanek's government.

In a written letter on Thursday Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek appealed to individual Social Democrats to back his cabinet: he and others have continued to express optimism the government will pass its confidence vote.