Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on May 25

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NO ECONOMIC DATA

There are no releases of economic data for the Czech Republic planned on Friday.

For previous stories on Czech data releases:

[CZ-RTRS-LEN-ECI]

For overview of economic data and forecasts click on

HOUSEHOLD DEBT

Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek and central bank (CNB) Vice-Governor Miroslav Singer speak at a business conference on "Life in debt...or households indebtedness in the Czech Republic", which starts at 9 a.m. (0700 GMT).

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-RET]

CO2 EMISSIONS

The Czech cabinet meets in an extraordinary session to discuss European Commission's (EC) result on Czech carbon dioxide emissions.

No news conference is planned. The government is expected to publish a statement but gave no timeframe for any release.

Past stories on the subject: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-CO2]

ONE MEMBER TO MISS C.BANK BOARD MEETING

The central bank said one of the 7 board members -- Vladimir Tomsik -- will miss a May 31 monthly policy meeting, possibly tipping the balance of power toward hawks amid mixed signals of a possible interest rate hike.

[ID:nL24361025] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-CEN]

Profiles of CNB board members: [ID:nL23227933]

News on CNB policymakers' comments: [ID:nL23155637] or [RTRS-LEN-CZ-CEN-PLCY]

FACTBOX on central European rate policies: [ID:nL21566195]

REUTERS POLL SEES CENTRAL BANK HIKING RATES

The Czech central bank (CNB) looks likely to narrowly decide in favour of raising European Union's lowest interest rates to a more than 4-year high on May 31 to tame resurgent inflation, a Reuters poll showed.

News report: [ID:nL23361023]

TABLE of forecasts: [ID:nL23322036]

Past results of the monthly survey: [CZK/POLL]

Regular updates on crown moves: [CZK/]

PRESIDENTS IN BRNO

The heads of 18 central and East European countries meet in the southern city of Brno for a summit on regional issues. The talks last until Saturday noon.

Details of the programme at www.czech-summit.cz

[RTRS-CZ-LEN-POL-DIP]

ENI BUYS RAFINERSKA STAKE

Italian oil and gas group Eni agreed on Thursday to buy a 16.11 percent stake in Czech Refining Co. (CRC) from ConocoPhillips , in what it said was a bid to improve its downstream profile in Europe.

[ID:nL24340732] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-UNPEsp.PR]

GOVT APPROVES FISCAL REFORMS

The Czech government approved on Wednesday tax and spending reforms aimed to cut the budget deficit, daring a divided parliament to approve the draft or risk early elections.

News report: [ID:nL23292798]

Related news: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-GVD-POL]

FACTBOX on fiscal reforms: [ID:nL23359860]

For Instant Views of key economic data click on [CZ/INSTANT] For summary of economic data and forecasts For diary of forthcoming Czech events [CZ/DIARY] For calendar of east European economic indicators [CONV/DIARY] TOP NEWS -- Emerging markets [TOP/EMRG] TOP NEWS -- Convergence watch [TOP/EAST]

For an economic indicator diary for the euro zone, the United States and other Group of Seven countries see

For real-time stock market index quotes click in brackets: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX

News editor of the day: Alan Crosby on +420 224 190 477; fax: +420 224 229 935

E-mail: prague.newsroom@reuters.com

Reuters Messaging: alan.crosby.reuters.com@reuters.net

[PRAGUE/Reuters/Finance.cz]