The future of the Czech Republic’s government looks uncertain after a number of members of a junior coalition partner walked out on their party following a bribery scandal.
Czech prime minister Petr Necas said yesterday: “If I don’t have clear information that the government has a secure majority by Monday at the latest, the right solution would be to hold early parliamentary elections in June.”
Elections were already planned for this year, but no date had been set. A vote to dissolve parliament could take place as soon as this month, with the election to be held within 60 days, according to the constitution.
A number of prominent members of the centrist Public Affairs party, led by deputy chairwoman Karolina Peake, walked out yesterday. Ms Peake said she was forming a new group, following the conviction of a senior party official in a bribery case.
Without Public Affairs, the government would lose its majority in the 200-seat lower house of parliament. The party is a junior member of the current government, alongside two conservative parties – Mr Necas’s Civic Democrats and TOP 09. – (PA)