RPT-Czech PM makes fresh bid to form centre-right govt

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The Czech Civic Democrats launched an attempt to revive a three-party centre-right coalition on Friday, seeking the backing of left-wing defectors to end a stalemate dating back six months.

The central European country has been without a stable government since an election in June gave both centre-right and left-wing forces 100 seats each in parliament.

Czechs have grown increasingly angry over the political crisis. However, the stalemate has had little impact so far on record strong economic growth, and the crown currency rose to new all-time highs against the euro this week.

Prime Minister Mirek Toplanek, head of the right-wing Civic Democrats, currently heads a minority government after losing a confidence vote in October.

Deputy Civic Democrat chairman Petr Necas said he expected fresh talks on a centre-right coalition government with the Christian Democrats and the Green Party to last several days.

The coalition would have just 100 seats in parliament, and would have to rely on the support of defectors from the opposition Social Democrat faction to survive.

"This will take some days, because the nationwide leaderships of the three potential partner parties will be meeting (on the plan)," Necas told reporters after negotiations with the Christian Democrats.

Talks on a broad majority coalition between Civic Democrats, the leftist Social Democrats and the centrist Christian Democrats collapsed earlier this week.

Two members of the Social Democrat caucus have already quit the faction, and one of them did not rule out supporting a centre-right administration in a confidence vote.

New Christian Democrat chief Jiri Cunek has repeatedly ruled out taking part in a government dependent on rebels.

But on Friday, he said the issue on where the cabinet would find support was put aside for the time being.

[PRAGUE/Reuters/Finance.cz]