RPT-Czech parlt to resume reform vote debate on Thurs

...

PRAGUE, June 6 (Reuters) - The Czech parliament ended Wednesday's session without taking a first reading vote on the government's tax and social reform package, but will resume the discussion on Thursday, a lower house official said.

Debate on the reforms, aimed at cutting the public fiscal deficit, began earlier on Wednesday but dozens of deputies from both sides of the house lined up to speak about the proposal.

The vote on the series of changes to taxes and social benefits is expected to narrowly get approval, as two defectors from the leftist opposition Social Democrats have indicated they will allow the reforms to head to a second reading.

The centre-right government only holds 100 seats in the 200 seat parliament, making it necessary for at least one deputy from the opposition to either abstain or vote in favour of measures for them to be approved.

Even if the defectors cross the floor, tension-filled debate is still expected in the coming months because some members of the centre-right coalition have warned they would vote against the package in the final reading, due by September, unless their amendments are incorporated.

The government said it would try provoke an early election if the reforms are not approved.