RPT-Czech rightist Topolanek appointed PM again

(Repeats story published late on Wednesday)

By Alan Crosby

PRAGUE, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Czech President Vaclav Klaus appointed rightist leader Mirek Topolanek as prime minister on Wednesday for the second time since an inconclusive June election left parliament deadlocked.

Topolanek faces a tough task to cobble together a government that could win a parliamentary confidence vote because both leftist and centre-right blocs in the lower house control 100 seats.

"It is obvious that it's necessary to carry out reforms and that we need a government with (an official) mandate. But I cannot tell at the moment whether this is going to happen or not," Topolanek told Reuters, adding he would not speculate on possible governing options.

Topolanek, a 50-year-old engineer and former businessman, was first appointed to the post in August.

After weeks of negotiating with other parties in parliament, he ended up trying to go it alone with a minority government comprised solely of his Civic Democrat party.

But his rightist government failed to win a confidence vote and resigned in October. It has been ruling as a caretaker administration since.

"I know that we are in a difficult situation, but even in this difficult situation we need to take a step forward," Klaus said during a brief ceremony at the ancient Prague Castle.

"I would like to wish the old-new prime minister success in his second attempt to win the confidence of the lower house," Klaus said.

Analysts said Topolanek's two main options are forming a coalition government with the centrist Christian Democrats and the Green Party, or making a deal with the leftist Social Democrats to support a rightist government.

The first option is more likely since Topolanek has several times ruled out a deal with the leftists on their own. They are led by his bitter rival, Jiri Paroubek.

Topolanek, who wants early elections next year, would be willing to include Paroubek in a four-party coalition but the former leftist prime minister has ruled out this option. The coalition would rule for a limited time before fresh elections.

Paroubek on Wednesday renewed his call made soon after the election for an agreement between the two parties on a rightist government that would rule for two years before early elections.

"I am waiting for the Civic Democrats to come up with a constructive approach," Paroubek told journalists.

A three party centre-right government would have 100 seats in the 200-seat lower house, and thus at least one deputy from the left must cross the floor or abstain from voting to win a confidence vote. (additional reporting by Marek Petrus) ((Writing by Alan Crosby; prague.newsroom@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: alan.crosby.reuters.com@reuters.net; +420 224 190 477))

Keywords: opakovat CZECH POLITICS