Social Democrats to name shadow ministers

The Social Democrats have said they are preparing to put forward names for a shadow government and to present an alternative programme contrasting the one coming together among centre-right coalition parties expected to form the next cabinet. Speaking at a press conference in Prague on Friday, acting Social Democrat leader Bohuslav Sobotka said his party would be rigorous in opposition. His party won the general election in May but still fared worse than expected and from the get-go was unable to find a partner to form a viable coalition. Mr Sobotka suggested that while his party would not pull any punches, it would back positive legislation, such as restricting immunity for MPs or cutting politicians’ salaries. But he expressed disappointment in the centre-right parties’ aim to keep the flat tax. The acting leader, who took after Jiří Paroubek resigned over the election results, is a former finance minister as well as likely candidate for chairman in the future.