ODS’s leader Mirek Topolanek accepted the mandate to form a new Government for the second time with a goal to lead the country into early elections sometimes next year. Note that CSSD still wants to have a chance to form a new Government or to form a grand coalition with ODS or to support ODS minority Government for two years, which ODS rejects. CSSD rejects the centre-right coalition (ODS, Christian Democrats and the Greens) and well as a Rainbow coalition of ODS, Christian Democrats, CSSD and the Greens.
Our view:
We seem to be back in the deadlock as it is likely that the ODS-proposed interim Government leading to early elections would not receive the needed majority of votes in the Lower House. Therefore, it is likely that there will be a third attempt to form a Government, which, if not successful may lead finally into early elections. The other root for early elections through a change in the constitution is less likely at this point. While is it possible that the Lower House will approve a change in the Constitution (thanks to ODS, the Greens, KDU and the Communists), which would allow dissolution of the Lower House and early elections based on the President’s proposal (120 votes needed), the actual dissolution would likely not happen as the Communists and CSSD would not support it. Note that CSSD earlier lost its member, Michal Pohanka, nevertheless, he said that he would vote with CSSD on key issues.