Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on Jan 17

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PM SAYS HAS MAJORITY FOR KEY VOTE

Two rebel deputies agreed to ensure Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek's centre-right coalition has a majority in a crucial vote in parliament on Friday, ending months of political paralysis.

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The lower house of parliament is scheduled to open a new session at 2 p.m. (1300 GMT) where opposition Social Democrat Speaker Miloslav Vlcek is expected to resign.

Topolanek's Civic Democrat (ODS) party leaders meet late on Wednesday.

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- For FACTBOX on key posts in the new government, double click on [ID:nL08820235].

- For FACTBOX on key points of the coalition agreement, see [ID:nL08658091].

NOVEMBER CURRENT ACCOUNT

The current account deficit narrowed in line with expectations to 11.15 billion crowns ($521.3 million) in November, from a 26.22 billion crown gap a month earlier.

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[RTRS-LEN-CZ-ECI]

C.BANKER SEES RATES ON HOLD

Low inflation gives the central bank (CNB) room to delay policy tightening and keep interest rates at the lowest level in the EU longer than previously thought, CNB policymaker Mojmir Hampl told Reuters in an interview.

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- For selection of key comments, double click on [ID:nL16815103]

CME SHARES SURGE

Television broadcaster Central European Media Enterprises (CME) jumped 5 percent on Tuesday on a bullish investor recommendation on the stock by Czech broking house Wood & Company.

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Wood & Company boosted its 12-month price target on CME to $100 from $69 and kept its rating at "buy".

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CEZ PLANS WINDMILLS

Power company CEZ <CEZPsp.PR is planning to build 40 windmill power plants near its Dukovany nuclear power station, with the first to be launched in 2008 or 2009.

Hospodarske Noviny, page 15

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

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

[PRAGUE/Reuters/Finance.cz]