Czech parties discuss coalition
Source: Agencies |
May 31, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CZECH center-right parties began talks on forming an austerity-minded coalition government yesterday after their surprisingly decisive election victory over leftists who advocated higher welfare spending.
Three center-right parties, led by the Civic Democrats under new leader Petr Necas, won 118 seats in the 200-seat lower house in Saturday's parliamentary vote, defying expectations for a tight result.
The right has promised to push through fiscal austerity measures to avert the risk of a Greek-style debt crisis.
The European Union member's debt, which totals 35 percent of gross domestic product, is only half the EU average and less than a third that of Greece.
But economists say the debt burden will rise quickly unless the new government implements budget reforms, including an overhaul of the pension system.
Civic Democrat leader Petr Necas has met the heads of both potential coalition partners - the conservative TOP09 late on Saturday and centrist Public Affairs yesterday - to discuss forming a coalition.
"These discussions, which for the moment are informal, confirmed the common will of our parties to work on this project," Necas said on Czech television. "We are on a good path."
He said he supported belt-tightening to cut the budget gap to 4.8 percent of GDP in 2011, down from a goal of 5.3 percent for this year.
Three center-right parties, led by the Civic Democrats under new leader Petr Necas, won 118 seats in the 200-seat lower house in Saturday's parliamentary vote, defying expectations for a tight result.
The right has promised to push through fiscal austerity measures to avert the risk of a Greek-style debt crisis.
The European Union member's debt, which totals 35 percent of gross domestic product, is only half the EU average and less than a third that of Greece.
But economists say the debt burden will rise quickly unless the new government implements budget reforms, including an overhaul of the pension system.
Civic Democrat leader Petr Necas has met the heads of both potential coalition partners - the conservative TOP09 late on Saturday and centrist Public Affairs yesterday - to discuss forming a coalition.
"These discussions, which for the moment are informal, confirmed the common will of our parties to work on this project," Necas said on Czech television. "We are on a good path."
He said he supported belt-tightening to cut the budget gap to 4.8 percent of GDP in 2011, down from a goal of 5.3 percent for this year.
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