Early elections better than uncertainty, says ODS deputies' head

Prague, Oct 7 (CTK) - Czech senior ruling Civic Democrat (ODS) deputy group head Zbynek Stanjura would prefer early elections if the government did not have sufficient support in the Chamber of Deputies to push through its programme, he told public Czech Television (CT) Sunday.

Stanjura said in such a case he would strive for a political agreement on early elections within the ODS.

If the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of parliament, dissolved itself by its resolution, elections would be held within 60 days and no interim government would be necessary, Stanjura said in the Questions of Vaclav Moravec TV discussion programme.

"If there is no real government majority in the Chamber of Deputies, we suppose that a political agreement on the date of early elections will be better," he said.

The centre-right coalition government of the ODS, TOP 09 and LIDEM can rely on a fragile majority in the 200-seat lower house. Moreover, a part of ODS deputies reject some key bills, for instance a legislation raising VAT.

Prime Minister Petr Necas (ODS) connected a new vote on the government stabilisation package of tax changes, which the ODS "rebels" rejected, with a vote of confidence.

Opposition Social Democrat (CSSD) deputy group head Jeronym Tejc reiterated in the TV debate Sunday that the Social Democrats considered early elections necessary.

He called on the heads of the parties' deputy groups, participating in the TV debate, to sign an agreement on early polls.

Tejc said he would like to include a new issue in the agenda of the next lower house session, that is its dissolution.

"We are not preparing for early elections," said Petr Gazdik, head of the TOP 09 and STAN (Mayors and Independents) deputy group.

Opposition Communist (KSCM) deputy group head Pavel Kovacik said early elections should take place as soon as possible since the current government was harming citizens of the country and should leave.