Nascent coalition parties begin talks on ministerial posts

The leaders of three parties negotiating on forming the next government met for a little over an hour on Monday to begin discussing ministerial posts; but, the likely next prime minister, Bohuslav Sobotka, indicated many issues remain unresolved and will only be tackled over the course of a number of meetings. Members of the individual parties are to meet on their own Tuesday, before resuming three-party talks a day later. Asked about the possibility of the smallest party in the coalition, the Christian Democrats, heading the Agriculture Ministry, Mr Sobotka replied it was one of the options being discussed.