Earlier in the day, negotiations continued...

Preceding the latest developments, the Social Democrat and Christian Democratic parties took part in negotiations early on Friday, outlining priorities for their proposed government. Discussed were issues of church and state, as well as introducing changes to the make-up of parliament to prevent future parliamentary deadlock. Social Democrat deputy chairman Bohuslav Sobotka said that his party had agreed to a number of significant compromises. Later, Social Democrat head Jiri Paroubek - in Vienna on Friday - denied promising the Christian Democrats half the posts in any new cabinet, but did stress they should hold important posts, for example, the Interior Ministry.

Author: Jan Velinger