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While the three parties in government want to see out a term that comes to an end in just under a year from now, the opposition Social Democrats have repeated their call for a snap election. The party’s leader, Bohuslav Sobotka, says the only way forward is to dissolve parliament, a move that would necessitate fresh elections within 60 days. However, that would require at least 120 votes in the Chamber of Deputies, which the coalition parties could block. Mr. Sobotka says he wants to discuss the situation with the other parties and the president, Miloš Zeman. The Communist Party have also called for early elections.

Former president Václav Klaus says the only way forward in the current situation would be the formation of a new political party or the radical transformation of an existing one. He told reporters on Monday everything needed to be done to return to real politics, which the events of the last week had distanced people from. At the same time, Mr. Klaus said the current non-parliamentary parties were either too small to make a difference or were far from representing a viable alternative.

Forecasters have warmed of extremely high temperatures throughout the Czech Republic between now and Thursday. They say we can expect highs up to 36 degrees Celsius, coupled with hail and rain storms in the coming days. People have been told to restrict strenuous activities in the afternoons, avoid direct sunlight and make sure they consume sufficient quantities of liquids. Tens of Czech weather stations saw new temperature records on Monday.

Negotiations between the three parties in the ruling coalition, meanwhile, continued briefly Sunday night to discuss who might replace the outgoing premier, capable of also receiving backing from the country’s president, Miloš Zeman. Under the Czech Constitution, Mr Nečas’ reisgnation will mark the end of the current government and the president will be under no obligation to respect proposals from the coalition; in the wake of the resignation he could name his own candidate to head an interim government.

Outgoing Prime Minister Petr Nečas said on Sunday that he believed the current coaltion could still put together a majority in the lower house and he expressed the conviction that the president - as a democrat - would respect the balance of power in the Chamber of Deputies.