Interim Prime Minister Jiří Rusnok has told the news site aktualne.cz
that his government could continue to rule for several months even if it
fails to find support in next Wednesday’s confidence vote. The economist
referred to the Constitution as well as the rule of a previous government
under similar circumstances. The Chamber of Deputies
is to hold the vote on the future of the cabinet beginning 10 AM on
Wednesday. Only two parties in the chamber have expressed support, the
Communists and Public Affairs; the opposition Social Democrats remain
divided over the issue.
If the former centre-right coalition can shore-up a 101-majority as
claimed, there is no chance Mr Rusnok’s government would be able to
pass.
The prime minister, a close associate of President Zeman’s, will visit
deputies’ clubs to try and boost support. According to one report, he
will not receive an invitation from the Civic Democrats, who oppose the
current government as an attempt to bypass Parliament as well as the
country’s constitution.