Civic Democrats and TOP 09 hold first coalition talks

The negotiation teams of the Civic Democrats and the TOP 09 party met on Monday for talks over the creation of a centre-right coalition, which they expect will be joined by the Public Affairs party. The two parties agreed on six basic points that would form the core of the future coalition’s program. Along with salary reductions for politicians, the two parties declared senators and MPs should be granted less immunity in the future. The Civic Democrats and TOP 09 both put curbing the Czech public deficit at the top of their priorities for the future government.

The Civic Democrats won 53 and TOP 09 41 seats. A deal with Public Affairs, with 24 seats, would give them a comfortable majority with 118 seats. Mr. Nečas ruled out on Czech Television on Sunday a coalition with the left-wing Social Democrats saying it would bring no benefit to the country.