President Klaus to rename Mirek Topolanek prime minister

The leader of the Civic Democrats, Mirek Topolanek, who resigned as prime minister last month is to be reappointed into the post. President Vaclav Klaus surprised many with the announcement at a special press conference on Monday. Mr Topolanek handed in his resignation after his cabinet failed to get a vote of confidence in the lower house of Parliament. He is to be given a second chance to form a new government, the President said, adding that he no longer insists it have a majority in the lower house. Mr Topolanek himself says whether or not he should accept the offer will be decided during a party leadership meeting on Tuesday.

Since the general elections in June ended in political stalemate the five parliamentary parties have not been able to agree on a new government. President Klaus said the leader of the second strongest party, Social Democrat Jiri Paroubek, was to blame and has called off a planned meeting with leaders of the five parliamentary parties, which was to be held on Tuesday.