Czech leftists say ready to talk further on budget

PRAGUE, Sept 26 (Reuters) - The Czech leftist opposition Social Democrats are ready to hold further talks on supporting the 2007 central state budget, the party's chief finance expert told Reuters on Tuesday.

The new right-wing government formed by the Civic Democrats earlier this month lacks a parliamentary majority and needs opposition support for the 2007 state budget -- which sees a deficit of 91.3 billion crowns ($4.11 billion) -- to go through.

Former Finance Minister and Social Democrat vice-chairman Bohuslav Sobotka said some of his party's conditions for supporting the budget had been met, opening room for talks, though some concerns remained. ((Reporting by Jan Lopatka; prague.newsroom@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: alan.crosby.reuters.com@reuters.net; +420 224 190 477))

Keywords: ECONOMY CZECH OPPOSITION