Czech prime minister Mirek Topolanek, who lost a no-confidence vote on March 24th, submitted his resignation today, setting in motion steps toward the formation of a new government to tackle a looming recession.
President Vaclav Klaus accepted the resignation in Prague. The president may decide to choose a new candidate to lead the government of the nation that holds the European Union's rotating presidency.
"I will name only a government that is based on political agreement in Parliament," Mr Klaus said, adding any solution must be quick because of the economic slowdown. "If anyone delivers 101 lawmakers signatures to me, I'll give him a chance to form a new government."
Mr Klaus said he could possibly reappoint Mr Topolanek, whose government holds the European Union's rotating presidency, as the prime minister but only if he could muster a parliamentary majority.
Mr Klaus said he won't allow a "provisional" government without a political mandate to rule until the end of European Union presidency or preliminary elections.
Preliminary elections are the "only" solution to the current political deadlock, prime minister Mirek Topolanek said at the same press conference. The caretaker government will do its best in the interim to ensure "stability" and fulfill the Czech Republic's obligations abroad, he added.
Mr Topolanek lost the parliamentary vote when four coalition and independent lawmakers joined the opposition to topple his government.
He will head a caretaker government while the president decides who should try to form a new Cabinet as the country holds the EU presidency and will host President Barack Obama on April 5th during US leader's first European visit.
Agencies