PM Topolánek admits formation of minority government

Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek has admitted that he could possibly form a minority government if the coalition does not overcome its current difficulties. Mr Topolánek told Czech TV on Sunday that a coalition government which was not able to follow its programme did not have a right to remain in power.

Several MPs in each of the coalition parties have repeatedly voted against drafts prepared by the government. While rebels within the right-wing Civic Democrats object to way the restitution of church property was calculated, some Christian Democrats and Greens oppose the government’s health care reform as well as the planned Czech-American treaty on siting a U.S. tracking radar base on Czech territory.