CZECH REPUBLIC: President Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic held talks with the Social Democrat leader, Mr Vladimir Spidla, yesterday on forming a new government after the centre-left party won general elections in the leading EU candidate state.
President Havel also invited the leaders of three other key parties to Prague Castle for talks, after which he was expected to nominate Mr Spidla to try to form a coalition government.
The talks with Mr Spidla of the CSSD party lasted about 20 minutes.Afterwards Dr Havel said he would announce his choice today.
The elections, the third since the ex-communist country became independent in 1993, notably saw a surge by the Communist Party, which won nearly one in five votes although it has no chance of joining a future coalition..
Mr Spidla, whose party has led a minority centre-right government since 1998, is widely expected to try to form a coalition with centrists, albeit with a razor-slim majority.
Mr Spidla reiterated his commitment to joining the EU immediately after his win in the elections, held on Friday and Saturday, campaigning for which had been clouded by Euro-sceptic rhetoric from the opposition conservatives.
"Our objective is a modern social state and joining the European Union," Mr Spidla said.
With all votes counted, the Social Democrats won the elections with just over 30 per cent, well ahead of the main opposition Civic Democrats (ODS) of the former Prime Minister, Mr Vaclav Klaus, on 24.5 per cent.
The Communist KSCM party, which unlike many such parties in the region has not reformed since the collapse of the Soviet Union, surged to 18.5 per cent.
The main centrist opposition grouping, the Coalition, came fourth on 14.3 per cent.
Prospects for a deal between the Social Democrats and the Coalition are clouded because together they would have only a one-seat majority in the 200-member parliament. But Mr Spidla himself reiterated his intention to seek such a deal yesterday.
"It's the most likely coalition," said an analyst. - (AFP)