RPT-Two Czech govt MPs unsure to back gvt in key votes

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PRAGUE (Reuters) - Two Czech government deputies said on Friday they may not support the cabinet in upcoming key no-confidence and 2008 budget votes.

The centre-right coalition government has just 100 seats in the 200-seat lower house of parliament, so any internal dissent may threaten its stability.

The two deputies, Olga Zubova and Vera Jakubkova of the Green Party, want to secure their party's influence at the Education Ministry, Jakubkova said.

The Greens, who have six parliamentary seats, have been locked in an internal party battle over the nomination of a new education minister. Zubova is one of the candidates, while the party is also considering an independent.

"I am hesitating, I am not decided if I will support the budget," Jakubkova told Reuters, adding she acted jointly with Zubova on both votes.

"But we still have some time and there is a room to negotiate. I do not want to make any conclusions, but of course the problems are there."

The often fractious three-party coalition, led by the right-wing Civic Democrats (ODS) of Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, has won key votes since its formation in January thanks to support from two rebel opposition deputies.

The lower house is due to hold the budget vote and a no-confidence motion, proposed by the opposition Social Democrats, after November 27.

The government has been expected to win both. (Reporting by Jan Korselt, writing by Jan Lopatka; editing by Sami Aboudi)

Keywords: CZECH POLITICS/