Social Democrats to push for vote of no confidence

The party leadership of the opposition Social Democrats has revealed the intention that the party seek a vote of no confidence on the country's centre-right government. The announcement was made on Friday. The Social Democrat leadership made clear it is hoping for early elections. The decision follows developments in government this week involving outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Jiri Cunek. In the Social Democrats' view, the latest developments "deepened" what they see as an "ongoing government crisis". The centre-right government led by Mirek Topolanek survived a motion of no confidence in June 2007, relying on the additional votes of two former Social Democrat MPs.