Mirek Topolanek re-appointed PM

President Vaclav Klaus has re-appointed Civic Democrat leader Mirek Topolanek prime minister and asked him to make a fresh attempt at forming a new government. Mr Topolanek was first appointed prime minister in August after a general election that left the 200-seat lower house of parliament equally divided between right- and left-wing parties. But he failed to win a vote of confidence from parliament in October and was forced to resign after only 38 days in the job.

Meanwhile, the Civic Democratic Party has launched informal talks on forming a new government and expects Mirek Topolanek to report on their results to the President next week, party deputy head Petr Necas said on Wednesday.