PRAGUE, Czech Republic, July 1 (UPI) -- Czech Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla formally resigned Thursday, leaving his would-be successor a formidable task in trying to form a new government.
Spidla established a three-party coalition government including his own Social Democrats, the center-right Christian Democrats and the neo-liberal Freedom Union after winning elections in 2002. His government initially had a one-seat majority in parliament but defections have now left it with minority support.
This situation has now been handed to Stanislav Gross, acting chairman of the Social Democrats, who hopes to recreate a coalition with the same parties and woo back the defectors.
Analysts have speculated on the prospects of the Social Democrats seeking some form of agreement with the Communist Party. However, senior Social Democrats have said they will not work with the largely unreformed Communist Party and President Vaclav Klaus, who is overseeing the coalition negotiations, has said he is against any such agreement.
If negotiations on forming a new government fail, the most likely result would be new elections.
