Civic Democrats to try and form caretaker cabinet

Earlier, before the Christian Democrats' announcement they would pull out of talks on a left-of-centre cabinet, Prime minister designate Mirek Topolanek revealed that his party was prepared to form a caretaker government to lead the country to early elections. Mr Topolanek said that he would present his proposed minority government to the president by the end of the next week. The prime minister designate declined to say who would be named to the new cabinet. But, given the developments later in the day, it is not yet clear whether this proposal will go forward.

If Mr Topolanek does push for a minority Civic Democrat government the decision will be President Klaus' whether or not to appoint the proposed ministers. If he does, the government will then have thirty days to ask the Chamber of Deputies for a vote of confidence.