ODS rebels are against end of Czech government

Prague, Oct 9 (CTK) - The rebellious deputies for the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) cannot see any reason for the end of the coalition and Czech government and for early elections, ODS deputy Marek Snajdr told CTK Tuesday.

At the evening meeting of the ODS working group, they proposed further cuts in state expenditures. They still believe in an agreement on the disputed package of tax changes, Snajdr said, adding that he could see some progress in the talks.

Now the proposals will be analysed and calculated, Snajder said, adding that a final solution had not yet been made.

He said the focus should center on the lowering of consumption of individual offices.

Zbynek Stanjura, chairman of the ODS deputies' group, said the working group would bring its position to the group by the end of next week.

The rebels had agreed with the party board earlier that the budget should be strengthened by privatisation of some state-owned companies.

They have also proposed that the number of state officials should not be increased by about 1400.

Informal head of the rebels Petr Tluchor said the deliberations about early elections only benefitted Social Democrats and Communists.

"However, I cannot understand why we should threaten one another by early elections inside the coalition or even in the party," Tluchor said.

Stanjura said there were two alternatives: either government finds support for its proposals in the Chamber of Deputies, or it will end.

Stanjura said in the latter case, early elections should be held, though he preferred an agreement.

Stanjura said the speculations that a government in the form of the current coalition, but without Prime Minister Petr Necas (ODS) should be established were unrealistic.

Necas has voiced a similar position.

"I am not thinking in this way at all and I am convinced that common sense will prevail," he added.

The government's previous attempt at having its tax and other changes passed was frustrated. The legislation was vetoed by the Senate and in the repeated vote in the Chamber of Deputies, some ODS backbenchers voted against it.

The government then submitted again the package in the Chamber of Deputies, linking it with a confidence vote.