Czech ODS head agrees with President higher deficit to be averted

The Chamber of Deputies approved the 2010 budget with a projected deficit of 163 billion crowns in December.

Topolanek, who met Klaus at lunch today, said he wants to appeal to Klaus to decide on an earlier date of the spring elections to the Chamber of Deputies than May 28-29.

Klaus said on Monday he would probably call the general election on Friday and Saturday, May 28-29, that is at the latest possible date.

The elections to the Chamber of Deputies must take place within a month before the election term expires, which is on June 3 this time.

Consequently, the elections can take place on May 7-8 at the earliest and on May 28-29 at the latest.

The ODS and CSSD leaders said previously they would prefer May 14-15.

"The ODS, the president as well as the prime minister fully agree on that all available ways of preventing the deficit from further increasing must be used," Topolanek said.

He said this also applies to the proposals to keep maternity benefits at last year´s level, to pay out a 13th pension and others that will be discussed at the January session of the Chamber of Deputies.

The proposals were submitted by the Social Democrats (CSSD) and are supported by the Communists (KSCM).

"It will clearly show, and it is good before the elections, who stands where. Who stands on the side of responsibility, who stands on the side of populism," Topolanek said.

He said he does not consider the date of elections to be of fundamental importance. However, "every week that will shorten the election term of this Chamber of Deputies, is a good week," Topolanek said.

Topolanek said the whole political scene would like the elections to be held earlier. Only the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) have said the presidential date suits them.

($1=18.164 crowns)

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Autor: ČTK
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