Czech Republic

EU concern at fall of Czech government

Article published on the 2009-03-25 Latest update 2009-03-25 09:25 TU

Czech Republic's Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek
(Photo: Reuters)

The centre-right coalition government of Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek fell on Tuesday when a motion of no-confidence was carried by the parliament, sparking concern in the European Union because the country currently holds the rotating presidency.

The lower house voted 101 in favour of the motion, forcing the government to resign. Prime Minister Topolanek said he would probably hand in his resignation to the president on Thursday.

He said that the Czech position in its presidency of the European Council could be weakened by the vote but that the country's administration was sufficiently well prepared that it can "act even without politicians".

The no-confidence motion was tabled after an advisor to the Prime Minister attempted to remove a programme from state television which criticised a deputy who supported the coalition.

In a statement, the European Commission declared that it is confident that the country's constitution will allow the Czech Republic to continue its presidency of the European Council.

But Joseph Daul, leader of the mainstream right-wing bloc, the European People's Party, said however that "a government which assumes the EU presidency but in which there is no confidence cannot assume this leadership".

The Czech Republic still has to complete its ratification of the Lisbon treaty after it was approved by the lower house of parliament. President Vaclav Klaus, a eurosceptic, has refused to say if he will confirm the ratification.