Government line-up finalised

On Tuesday, the line-up was finalised of the proposed centre-right coalition government involving the Civic Democrats, the Christian Democrats and the Green Party. Cyril Svoboda, former foreign minister, is to become minister without portfolio and chairman of the government's legislative council, while film director Helena Trestikova is to take up the post of culture minister. Nominations to other ministerial posts remain as originally proposed. Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek is now expected to officially present the new government to the president.

Once his government is appointed Mr. Topolanek will have thirty days in which to ask the lower house for a vote of confidence. So far he can rely on the support of the Civic Democrat parliamentary party in the lower chamber. Mr Topolanek said he would try to negotiate support from the opposition Social Democrats - either as a party or if need be from individual members.