Numbers released by the Czech Statistical Office on Friday have shown
that the economy saw record growth in the first quarter of 2006,
improving from 5.4 to 7.4 percent year-on-year. The improvement,
fuelled by higher foreign trade, investment, industrial production, and
household spending, was largely expected by analysts. Some observers
have stated that the fast growth will help the Czech economy approach
the euro zone more quickly. On Friday, outgoing Prime Minister Jiri
Paroubek reacted to the information saying it was "unfortunate for his
party" the news came a week after the election.
The Civic Democrats' Mirek Topolanek, meanwhile, indicated that all
parties should make use of the situation to push for lowering
unemployment as well as the public debt.