Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on Oct 23

PRAGUE, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Czech financial markets on Monday:

SENATE AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

The right-wing Civic Democrats dominated the first round of Czech elections for the upper house Senate, results showed on Sunday, boosting Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek and his calls for an early vote for a new parliament.

[nL22730163]

- For FACTBOX listing key points of the Senate vote, double click on [nL19184081].

The Civic Democrats (ODS) secured 36.20 percent of all votes and also won the local elections held on Friday and Saturday, write daily newspapers. The Social Democrats (CSSD) placed second with 16.63 percent, and the Communists (KSCM) third with 10.79 percent, results show.

- For most recent news on Czech politics, double click on the following link: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-POL]

NO DATA RELEASES

No economic data are due out on Monday.

- For calendar of real-time economic data releases and consensus market forecasts, double click on <ECONCZ>.

UNIPETROL FACES SUIT

Czech chemicals group Agrofert has filed a legal suit against Poland's PKN Orlen <PKNA.WA> seeking damages of 17.35 billion crowns ($774.4 million).

[nL20602678] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-UNPEsp.PR]

POLL: RATES SEEN ON HOLD THIS WEEK

The central bank (CNB) will most likely keep interest rates on hold this week, a Reuters poll showed, but a slim majority of analysts forecast further tightening before the year-end to keep inflation at bay.

[ID:nL20451838] [CNB/INT]

- For TABLE detailing analysts' interest rate forecasts, double click on [ID:nL20536892].

POLL: CROWN SEEN FIRMING

The Czech crown is likely to rally more than 2 percent to new all-time highs of 27.70 per euro <EURCZK=> over the next 12 months, extending a long-term trend fed by rising exports, a Reuters poll shows.

[ID:nL1863825] [ID:nL18826170] [CZK/POLL]

Individual forecasts can be accessed through the following page <CZ/ECON07>.

MINING IPO?

RPG Industries, a group controlled by Czech businessman Zdenek Bakala, wants to list a unit holding assets in the mining industry on the Prague and London stock markets in the first half of May 2007, writes the daily Mlada fronta Dnes.

Overview of past economic data and market forecasts <CZ/ECON15> For Instant Views of key economic data click on [CZ/INSTANT] For summary of economic data and forecasts <CZ/ECON01> 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 <G7TODAY>

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

((Compiled by Marek Petrus; 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))