Bárta on Czech TV: some Civic Democrats desire grand coalition

A key figure in the Public Affairs party, Vít Bárta – currently negotiating on the next government – has suggested some Civic Democrats would prefer a grand coalition with long-time political rivals the Social Democrats. He made the statement questioning some Civic Democrats' aims during a Czech TV debate programme on Sunday. Mr Bárta did not reveal any concrete names, nor did another guest present, Petr Gazdík of TOP 09, also involved in the talks. But Civic Democrat representative David Vodražka immediately denied the charge, saying he knew of no one in his party who preferred such a scenario. His party leader, Petr Nečas, has been tasked by the country’s president to lead talks on the next government.

After last weekend’s election result, three parties – the Civic Democrats, TOP 09 and Public Affairs – earned a realistic chance of forming a new centre-right government with an unprecedented majority in the Chamber of Deputies. But newcomers Public Affairs, concretely Mr Bárta, have issued a number of statements since that were perceived as potentially complicating negotiations. All three parties signed a declaration of intent earlier this week as indication they were taking talks on forming a new government seriously.