Fiala discusses moves toward takeover of new govt with Zeman online

The prospective next Czech prime minister, Petr Fiala of the Civic Democrats, spoke to President Miloš Zeman, who is has been in hospital for a month, by video link on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking afterwards, Mr. Fiala said the head of state had told him that he would accept the resignation of the current government after the new Chamber of Deputies is convened on Monday. The two men will then have a second discussion, during which Mr. Fiala will present Mr. Zeman with his list of nominees for cabinet posts.

The Civic Democrats came first in elections last month as part of a three-party coalition and are set to form a new government with those groupings and the Pirates and Mayors, two parties who also ran as an electoral alliance. Between them the five parties have 108 mandates in the 200-seat lower house.