Civic Democrats offer half cabinet seats to smaller parties

The Civic Democrats have offered to give half the seats in a possible new government to coalition partners the Christian Democrats and the Greens. Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said at the weekend that he would present the president with a list of cabinet members by Thursday; he also said the proposed three-party coalition should undergo a confidence vote by the middle of next month.

A previous attempt by Mr Topolanek to form a government with the Christian Democrats and the Greens failed as the alliance was one vote short of a majority. The Civic Democrats, who came first in elections in June, say this time they hope to win the support of deputies from other parties.

The leftist Social Democrats have called on two rebel MPs to return to the party's deputies group. One of them, Milos Melcak, is currently under police protection, two of Monday's dailies reported. Mr Melcak reportedly believes somebody is trying to poison him.