LIDEM to quit gov't by early January

Prague, Dec 20 (CTK) - The LIDEM party leadership yesterday called on its ministers to resign from the Czech coalition government as of January 10, party leader Karolina Peake has said.

The LIDEM leadership decided to ask its ministers to leave the government after Prime Minister Petr Necas (Civic Democratic Party, ODS) dismissed Peake as defence minister.

"I suppose that this is a move to the opposition," Peake said.

She said the party leadership had spoken about the step with LIDEM ministers and deputies.

"They are not opposed to it," Peake said.

Necas said the government was now in a minority position, but the decision on it would be made by specific votes in the Chamber of Deputies.

Peake was only the defence minister for a few days. Necas said she had lost his confidence after she made a shake-up at the ministry.

Peake said "we consider the affair a loss of mutual trust."

She said she could not imagine what could reverse the decision of the LIDEM leadership.

Necas said he wanted to continue cooperating with LIDEM in the government. However, Peake cannot insist on heading the defence ministry, he added.