Coalition split in Czech government

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.

Prime Minister Petr Necas said today: “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 chairman 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.

At least six other politicians left to join Ms Peake, who also serves as deputy prime minister. It would still not be enough to form a majority government without Public Affairs.

Vit Barta, who leads the party’s parliamentary group and is considered its informal chairman, was found guilty last Friday of paying bribes to two party members to buy their loyalty – a serious blow to

Public Affairs which first made it to Parliament in 2010 on an anti-corruption ticket.

Mr Barta announced that he would quit politics if convicted, but refused to resign his parliamentary seat, angering Mr Necas who claimed he is not fit for Parliament if he retains influence on Public Affairs’ policies.

Mr Necas said today that he is no longer willing to co-operate with the party under such circumstances and his party leadership said later that talks to end their coalition agreement should take place on Sunday.

Public Affairs has three ministers in government, but one resigned last month due to a disagreement with the government over cuts and a new minister is yet to be appointed. The other two ministers have sided with Ms Peake, leaving to join the new group.

Public Affairs leaders and politicians were scheduled to meet later to discuss the crisis.

Mr Necas’s coalition was sworn in in July 2010, and has faced several crises since due to tensions among coalition partners over a number of issues.

It has also been under fire from the opposition and labour unions for its reforms of pension and healthcare systems, as well other measures and cuts it says are necessary to help bring the budget deficit back below 3% of GDP and maintain market reliability.

Labour unions plan a massive protest in Prague on Saturday.