New government coalition wins vote of confidence

The new five-party coalition government of Prime Minister Petr Fiala won a vote of confidence in the Chamber of Deputies on Thursday evening, after all of the present ruling coalition MPs voted in favour of the Czech cabinet. The vote was preceded by more than a 20-hour-long debate.

Fiala’s government, which enjoys a majority of 108 votes in the 200-seat lower house of Parliament, received 106 votes in favour; all of the 87 present opposition MPs voted against.

The new government, which was confirmed more than three months after elections, aims above all to stabilize the economy and boost competitiveness, with pension reform also an urgent priority.