Freedom Union MP change could open way to formation of new government

The way could be open to the formation of a new three-party coalition government, after a deputy from the Freedom Union opposed to such a coalition, Marian Bielesz, resigned from his seat in the Chamber of Deputies on Thursday; the man expected to replace him, Zdenek Koristka, has said he would support a coalition of the Freedom Union, the Social Democrats and the Christian Democrats.

The same three parties made up the previous government, which collapsed at the end of June following the resignation of Vladimir Spidla as prime minister.

If Mr Koristka throws his weight behind this formation, it will allow the acting leader of the Social Democrats, Stanislav Gross, to form a government and become prime minister. However, like the last government, it would have a majority of just one in the 200-seat lower house.

Mr Bielesz on Thursday denied suggestions that he had resigned in return for either money or the promise of an important post. He said he had quit parliament in order to reduce the possible influence of the Communist Party on the formation of a new government.