Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas wants to know by Monday that the government of his Civic Democrats (ODS), TOP 09 and the Public Affairs (VV) commands a "safe majority" after the VV´s split, otherwise he would prefer early elections, he told reporters today.
Necas reacted to the situation after Deputy Karolina Peake left the junior ruling VV and and a new platform is being formed around her. Necas also ruled out cooperation with the VV deputy group if Vit Barta, who was convicted of bribery, remained its member.
"It is out of the question that the government would rely on a deputy group that is being controlled from inside or behind the scenes by a man convicted of corruption," Necas said, adding that the ODS has not yet withdrawn from cooperation with the VV. The ODS board meets to debate the situation in the afternoon.
Last Friday, Barta was given an 18-month suspended sentence with probation for 30 months for bribing then VV MPs in the form of interest-free loans. Necas pointed out that he would not accept his government being dependent on the mood of one deputy only. "A narrow majority of 101 or 102 deputies (in the 200-seat lower house) has no sense," Necas said at an extraordinary press conference. He, however, refused to specify how many deputies would mean the "safe" majority. He only said both public and behind-the-scenes talks would take place soon.
Peake left the VV on Tuesday and she announced to form a new platform. She called on her party colleagues to follow her. At least another seven members of the VV deputy group would have to follow Peake to secure a 101-seat majority for the government. So far five VV deputies will definitely join Peake´s platform, according to available information.