Civic Democrat leader informs president on government negotiations

The Civic Democrat leader, Petr Nečas, on Thursday briefed President Václav Klaus about ongoing negotiations on forming a coalition government. Although President Klaus has sanctioned the Civic Democrat effort, he stopped short of appointing Mr Nečas prime minister designate. President Klaus will receive both the Civic and Social Democrat leaders at Prague Castle on Friday.

The Civic Democrat party, which emerged second strongest from the general elections on Saturday, is holding talks with the conservative party TOP 09 and the populist Public Affairs party; they have 118 seats in the 200-member lower house of Czech Parliament. The parties had vowed to form a centre-right coalition to stabilize public finances, reform the country’s health care and pensions systems, and curb corruption.

Author: Jan Richter