New coalition should undergo confidence vote by mid-January, says PM Topolanek

Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek says a coalition he is hoping to form with the Christian Democrats and the Greens should undergo a vote of confidence by the middle of January. The Civic Democrat leader said on a TV debate programme that he would present the president with a list of cabinet members by next Thursday.

A previous attempt by Mr Topolanek to form a government with the Christian Democrats and the Greens failed as the alliance was one vote short of a majority. The Civic Democrats, who came first in elections in June, say this time they hope to win the support of deputies from other parties.

Author: Ian Willoughby