Klaus disappointed by Social Democrats' rejection of coalition plan

President Vaclav Klaus is disappointed by the fact the Social Democrats have rejected a plan he put forward as a way out of the ongoing political crisis, the president's spokesman told the website Novinky. Mr Klaus on Friday proposed a "rainbow" coalition which would lead to early elections; within hours, however, the Social Democrats said they would not take part.

The party, who came second in elections in June, have also reiterated their call to be given a chance to form the next government, after the winning Civic Democrats failed to put together a viable government.

The leaders of the five parties in the lower house are due to hold more talks with Mr Klaus on Tuesday. It is believed that if they cannot agree on a solution before then, the president may himself choose a new prime minister.

The Czech Republic has been without a stable government since June, when general elections ended in stalemate.