Paroubek: elections for Social Democrats in 2007 would be "a catastrophe"

The leader of the Social Democrats Jiri Paroubek has admitted that early elections in 2007 - originally a requirement pushed by the Civic Democrats - would be "a catastrophe". Mr Paroubek made the statement for the Czech daily Pravo and the CTK news agency on Monday after talks between the two parties. Later, Mr Paroubek backtracked from his original statement somewhat, saying that if elections were held next year his party would not achieve an "optimal result". A public opinion survey released last week has suggested if a national election were held at this time the Social Democrats would clinch just 60 seats in the lower house compared to the Civic Democrats' 96.