PM: Social Democrats won't back coalition government

The prime minister has also reiterated that his Social Democrats will not back a government of the Civic Democrats, the Christian Democrats and the Green Party. After meeting President Vaclav Klaus on Thursday, Prime Minister Paroubek also said that a grand coalition was currently not an option. Coalition talks are now underway, led by Civic Democrat chairman Mirek Topolanek. A coalition of the Civic Democrats, the Christian Democrats and the Greens would only have 100 seats in the 200-seat lower house. The new chamber is expected to meet for the first time on June 27th.