Centre-right parties agree to coalition talks

Leaders of the centre-right parties the Civic Democrats and TOP 09 and Public Affairs are prepared to hold talks about a coalition government. Civic Democrat leader Petr Nečas and Karel Schwarzenberg agreed to launch talks on a coalition partnership next week at a short meeting on Saturday. The two parties appear in pole position to forge a government with the Civic Democrats winning 53 and TOP 09 41 seats in the 200-seat lower house. A deal with Public Affairs, with 24 seats, would give them a comfortable majority with 118 seats. Public Affairs leader Radek John talked with the Civic Democrat leader on Sunday morning and said his party was ready to launch talks on Monday. A meeting of Civic Democrats on Sunday should agree a negotiating team.

The Civic Democrats and TOP 09 both put curbing the Czech public deficit at the top of their priorities for a future government. Mr. Nečas said the election result made a government of “fiscal responsibility” possible. He ruled out on Czech Television on Sunday a coalition with the left-wing Social Democrats saying it would bring no benefit to the country.

Author: Chris Johnstone