Ruling parties ready to overcome their differences

The leaders of the three parties in the Czech governing coalition – the Civic Democrats, Christian Democrats and the Greens - have said they are ready to overcome their differences in order to preserve the three-party alliance. Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek called a meeting of party leaders on Friday to ascertain their position after serious differences had emerged both during the presidential elections and over Christian Democrat leader Jiří Čunek’s possible return to government posts. The Green Party is strongly opposed to Mr. Čunek’s return and the prime minister has said he would only take him back if the two smaller parties in government reached agreement on the matter.