ČSSD ready to discuss school reform

Prague, Feb 10 (CTK) - The Czech senior opposition Civic Democrats (CSSD) are ready to negotiate with the government on changes to the education system and other themes exceeding the horizon of one election term, CSSD deputy chairman Lubomir Zaoralek said on Czech Television (CT) yesterday.

He said a school reform must be discussed immediately and it is not possible to wait for the result of the next general election [scheduled for mid-2014].

Zaoralek and former justice minister Jiri Pospisil, deputy chairman of the senior government Civic Democrats (ODS), agreed a caretaker government that would lead the country to early elections would not be a good solution to the current complicated political situation in the country.

"It is good for the state if certain important projects that have been launched are completed and a new government only assumes power after a regular general election to be held in one and a half years," Pospisil said.

He said the past caretaker governments showed that they are not good for the country. They cannot complete what would otherwise be completed, Pospisil said.

"I agree with the deputy chairman Pospisil on that no caretaker government is a solution in this situation," Zaoralek said.

Pospisil said the current centre-right coalition government should complete the reform of education and the service bill.

"I consider these things of fundamental importance that even exceed one election term and even I would be happy if some agreement on them were reached," Zaoralek said.