Support for new government remains uncertain

Support for the new government of Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek remains uncertain, with five Social Democratic Party deputies unwilling to accept the new government set up. The old-new government must ask for a vote of confidence in the lower house within 30 days of taking office and with its slim majority in Parliament the three party coalition needs the support of all its deputies. The opposition Civic Democrats and the Communists have said they will not support the new Cabinet. The five Social Democratic Party deputies whose vote is uncertain, say they would like to strengthen their party's influence in certain areas of government. Behind the scenes negotiations continue.