TOP 09 says Civic Democrats to blame for break-up

TOP 09, which may seek support to maintain a minority administration in Prague, has rejected the accusations that it was jockeying for power on the right ahead of next year’s elections. TOP 09 deputy mayor Tomas Hudecek, who now heads Prague City Hall, said the collapse of the Prague coalition was triggered by internal strife within the Civic Democrats and the party’s refusal to deal with pressing problems. Mr. Hudecek said Prague was sliding deeper into debt and TOP 09 could no longer stand by and accept co-responsibility for the city’s poor management.