Jiri Paroubek would like to try to form new cabinet

Meanwhile the outgoing Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek has indicated that he too would like a chance to form the next government, should the centre-right coalition fail to win approval in the lower house. Mr. Paroubek, whose Social Democrats came second in the elections, said on Tuesday that he was confident he could assemble the necessary 101 votes, and that under such circumstances President Klaus would have no choice but to entrust him with the task of forming a new cabinet.