ČSSD leader warns of low turnout

Ostrava, North Moravia, Oct 11 (CTK) - Bohuslav Sobotka, leader of the opposition Czech Social Democrats (CSSD) is afraid of a low turnout in the forthcoming elections to the Senate and regional assemblies, Sobotka told journalists Thursday.

The general public is disgusted at the government of Prime Minister Petr Necas (Civic Democratic Party, ODS), which may bring about a low participation in the forthcoming regional and Senate elections that start on Friday and end on Saturday, Sobotka said at the close of the CSSD's election campaign that targeted the right-wing coalition government.

Sobotka called on people to come to the polling stations.

"Obviously, people are dissatisfied with the work of the Necas government. People are often disgusted at the political reality now existing in the Czech Republic," Sobotka said.

"We are afraid that the disgust may cause absence from the elections," he added.

In the previous regional elections in 2008, the turnout reached a record 40 percent. The CSSD scored a landslide victory, dominating 13 out of the 14 regions.

The right won the regional elections in 2000 and 2004, when the turnout was much lower: 33.5 percent and 29.6 percent, respectively.

"If the coalition is also weakened in the regional and Senate elections, this will enhance the chance of dissolving the Chamber of Deputies and calling early elections next spring," he added.

The Social Democrats also unveiled a manifesto Thursday in which they pledged to take some steps after the regional and parliamentary elections.

They promised new jobs, responsible financial management and a stop to further reduction of the number of firefighters and police.

Sobotka said the voter participation in the regional and Senate elections was an instrument with which to change the things in the country for the better.

"People can very easily use the regional and Senate elections as a way in which to voice no confidence in the Necas government," Sobotka said, repeating that the coalition government was unable to make good the promises it had given to voters.

"At the moment, people have a chance of voicing their attitudes and views after two years [after the 2010 general election]," Sobotka said.

Sobotka said he believed the Social Democrats' victory in the regional and Senate elections could speed up the government's fall.

"At the moment, the government is weakened, it does not command a sufficient majority in the Chamber of Deputies and it is being weakened by internal disputes," Sobotka said.