Czech government seen losing vote, debate starts

PRAGUE, Oct 3 (Reuters) - The Czech parliament began a session on Tuesday which will lead to a confidence vote expected to topple Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek's minority cabinet.

No time has been set for the vote. Debate could take hours, or even days, before ballots are cast.

Parliament has been deadlocked since a June general election and leftist and centre-right parties each control 100 seats.

The two sides failed to reach a deal on support for the rightist government, which was appointed last month. The leftist Social Democrats and far left Communists have said none of their deputies will vote to allow Topolanek's government to survive.

"It was not possible to reach a solution that would create a stable government for the entire (four-year) election period. Neither my Civic Democrats nor the Social Democrats are able to form a government alone," Topolanek told deputies.

"Because of this, I see the best solution as (this) minority government with a limited mandate."

The deadlock has failed to hit markets, investors instead focusing on a strong economy that shows few ill effects.

Analysts have said the country needs to ensure reforms to sectors such as healthcare, public finances and pensions remain on track for the adoption of the euro.

President Vaclav Klaus, a former prime minister, has the right to pick a second prime minister if Topolanek fails.

His advisers have said that if no one can show him they have a majority in the lower house, the right-wing Klaus is likely to push for a government of experts followed by early elections.

Former Prime Minister and Social Democrat leader Jiri Paroubek has been unable to show he could win a confidence vote.

Paroubek may get a chance to form a government later on because a third candidate is chosen by the house speaker.

A Social Democrat is speaker, but was sworn in under an agreement among parties that he would step down before it was his turn to nominate a prime minister. ((Reporting by Alan Crosby, editing by Robert Woodward; prague.newsroom@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: alan.crosby.reuters.com@reuters.net; +420 224 190 477))

Keywords: CZECH POLITICS