Early elections to be held on October 25 and 26

An early general election will be held on October 25 and 26, President Miloš Zeman said on Friday, following consultations with leaders of parties represented in the lower house. The first session of the lower house after the elections was scheduled for November 26. The snap elections will take place two months after the Czech lower house voted to dissolve itself, ending a political crisis triggered by the collapse of the centre-right government of Petr Nečas. The president is expected to formally dissolve the lower house on Wednesday.