Czech leaders meet president on political crisis

His surprise move reflects tensions in the three-party ruling coalition less than six months before the next scheduled parliamentary election.

Babis is a rival of Sobotka’s leftist Social Democrats and heads the ANO centrist movement that is a favourite to win October’s parliamentary elections.

After meeting Zeman on Wednesday, Babis said still didn’t understand the prime minister’s decision.

He said he told the president “I can’t see any reason why the government should resign. We think the government has been successful.”

Zeman has the power to select a new premier.

Babis said he understood Zeman would accept the resignation, even though he could reject it. He said he expected Zeman to select a member of Sobotka’s party that won the 2013 general elections to lead the government.

Zeman also met Sobotka’s deputy, Interior Minister Milan Chovanec on Wednesday and will talk to Pavel Belobradek, chairman of the Christian Democrats, the third coalition party, on Thursday.

Another option would be to hold early elections, but that might be difficult due to a lack of time.

The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Czech leaders meet president on political crisis

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