Talks underway on composition of caretaker cabinet

Talks are underway on the composition of a caretaker government which would rule the country until early elections in the autumn. On the basis of a framework agreement reached on Tuesday between the ruling coalition and the opposition Social Democrats the caretaker government would be made up of 16 experts without partisan affiliation. Candidates for the posts would be career diplomats and economic experts handpicked by the coalition and opposition. Disputes have already broken out between the rival parties regarding the selection process. Social Democrat leader Jiri Paroubek said he would consult the Communists regarding suitable candidates, which Prime Minister Topolanek said was totally unacceptable. He said on Wednesday he would not be blackmailed into making any further concessions.