News
Civic Democrat leadership: early elections main priority
The Civic Democrats will continue to lead government negotiations with the aim of holding early elections, the party's leadership decided on Monday. Mirek Topolanek, who was re-elected party leader this weekend, is expected to hold talks on the possibility of holding early elections with various parties this week. Latest opinion polls suggest that the Civic Democrats would win with 35.1 percent of the vote if elections were held this month.
Paroubek: Social Democrats rule out early elections before mid-2008
The Social Democrats are willing to enter a three-party coalition government and hold early elections in mid-2008 if necessary. Speaking at a special press conference on Monday, party leader Jiri Paroubek said he did not object to a coalition government with the Civic Democrats and the Christian Democrats that would be evaluated after a year in office. Mr Paroubek added that his party is willing to make concessions in the government negotiations but ruled out support for the introduction of a flat tax and university education fees.
Christian Democrat Jiri Cunek willing to run for post of party chairman
The controversial Christian Democrat senator Jiri Cunek has announced that he wants to run for the post of party chairman. Mr Cunek recently made headlines when he called the eviction of a number of Roma rent defaulters the "removal of an ulcer". The Christian Democrats will elect a party chairman at their national conference in two weeks' time.
Outgoing cabinet hoping to issue bonds to cover national debt security
The outgoing cabinet of Mirek Topolanek proposes to issue new bonds worth almost 133 billion crowns (an estimated 6 billion US dollars) to cover national debt security that the Czech Republic will have to pay in 2007 and 2008. A bill that would make this possible has already been presented to the Chamber of Deputies, which has been asked to give it the green light in its first reading.
CBW: Vietnamese stores preparing to fill gap left by Delvita and Droxi
Dozens of Vietnamese entrepreneurs are testing the Czech market and working on forming chains of grocery stores, the Czech Business Weekly (CBW) reports. Former chairman of the Prague-based Association of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Nguyen Duong tells the paper that the chains will open mainly in small towns and compete with international supermarkets as well as Czech grocery stores. Their aim is to fill the gap left by the two established retailers Delvita and Droxi who have announced their departures from the Czech market, CBW writes.
Communist Youth Association takes interior ministry to court
The Communist Youth Association has decided to take the interior ministry to court over last month's decision to dissolve the small far-left group. The ministry banned the association on the grounds that it violated the Czech constitution by striving to replace the private ownership of the means of production with nationalisation. The Communist Youth Association says the ministry is violating its right to the freedom of expression and has filed a complaint.
Rolling Stones to play Brno next summer
Fans of the legendary Rolling Stones will most likely be able to see the band in concert in the Moravian capital Brno next summer. The British rock band were scheduled to play in Brno this year but had to cancel following an injury suffered by guitarist Keith Richards. Media reports say Brno concert promoters Glanc are now in discussion with the band's managers over a suitable concert date next year.
Weather
The beginning of the week is expected to be mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Daytime temperatures will reach highs of around 10 degrees Celsius.
