Czech ODS, TOP 09 want to keep governing with LIDEM

However, the meeting of the coalition parties´ leaders (K9) did not terminate the conflict over the filling of the defence minister´s post.

The LIDEM leadership and its deputies should decide on their continuation in the government of Petr Necas (ODS leader) tonight, the government parties´ deputy chairpersons, Martin Kuba (ODS), Miroslav Kalousek (TOP 09) and Dagmar Navratilova (LIDEM), said.

"At the meeting, we heard their (ODS and TOP 09´s) arguments and their will to continue with Liberal Democrats (LIDEM) in carrying out the coalition agreement," Navratilova said.

However, the possibility that the LIDEM ministers will submit their resignation on Thursday remains open, she said, adding that it would depend on the evening talks.

Navratilova and Kuba ruled out that another government re-shuffle was prepared that would return the Transport Ministry to LIDEM and the defence sector to the ODS.

The ODS and TOP 09 indicated that they would like to agree with LIDEM on a new coalition agreement by the end of January that would set priorities for the rest of the four-year election term that expires in mid-2014.

The current crisis was stirred up in December by LIDEM that called on its ministers to resign as of January 10 over the dismissal of party chairwoman and Deputy PM Karolina Peake as defence minister.

This year, LIDEM expressed willingness to reach agreement with the coalition partners but it did not cancel its resolution to withdraw its ministers from the government.

Peake said last week her party would listen to Necas´s proposals and then make a decision.

She said considers the issue of filling the post of defence minister with a LIDEM candidate closed, however.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz