Czech SocDems say to vote for 2007 budget draft

PRAGUE, Oct 26 (Reuters) - The Czech Social Democrats, the largest opposition party, pledged on Thursday to vote for the 2007 draft budget in the first parliamentary reading, assuring the minority rightist government's success in the vote.

"The Social Democrats will support the budget in the first reading," Social Democrat Vice-Chairman Bohuslav Sobotka told the lower house after a party caucus meeting.

The Civic Democrats, ruling in a caretaker capacity, and Social Democrats together have 155 deputies in the lower house of parliament which is to vote on the budget later on Thursday. ((Writing by Marek Petrus; Editing by Alan Crosby; Reuters Messaging: rm://marek.petrus.reuters.com@reuters.net; e-mail: prague.newsroom@reuters.com or marek.petrus@reuters.com; Tel: +420 224 190 477))

Keywords: ECONOMY CZECH BUDGET PARTY