Czech Parliament' Lower House resumes work as ANO, SPD and Motorists’ party seal coalition deal

Newly elected members of the Czech lower house meet on Monday afternoon for their first session after the October election, officially resuming the Chamber’s work. An hour before the meeting, representatives of the ANO party, the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, and the Motorists’ party sign a coalition agreement and present the programme of their future government being formed by ANO leader Andrej Babiš. During the opening session, MPs take their oaths and establish the mandate and immunity committee. The election of the new speaker and deputy speakers, the most closely watched part of the proceedings, is scheduled for Wednesday. The coalition deal defines the government’s key policy goals and allocates political posts among the parties. It also sets procedures for parliamentary cooperation and dispute resolution, though it carries no legal force. All ANO, SPD and Motorists’ MPs are to sign it as well.