Czech premier asks senate to back early elections

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Thursday October 5, 2006

Prague- Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek asked the senate Thursday to support early elections as a way around political roadblocks now preventing Prague from seating a government. Topolanek, who plans to resign with his month-old cabinet next week, urged parliament's upper chamber to back a lower-chamber proposal for a measure that allows an early election.

Voters could be asked to cast ballots next spring in hopes of tipping Prague's power scale to either the conservatives or liberals.

Since a stalemate outcome in elections last June, neither side cab control the 200-seat parliament.

Topolanek tried to form a government with his conservative Civic Democrats (ODS) last month. But this week liberals rallied parliament to vote no-confidence in the fledgling government, forcing the resignation.

Former prime minister Jiri Paroubek of the Social Democrats (CSSD) wants President Vaclav Klaus to give him a chance to form a government this month. But Klaus is not expected to act until after senate and local elections at the end of October.

Meanwhile, CSSD leaders were reportedly negotiating for support from the minor party Christian Democrats (KDU). KDU was a CSSD partner before the election and an ODS ally afterward.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency