PRAGUE, Czech Republic, March 29 (UPI) -- The Czech Republic's coalition government stood on the brink of collapse Tuesday after the largest party refused to replace the prime minister.
The Social Democratic Party said Tuesday it would not yield to demands for the replacement of Prime Minister Stanislav Gross with another candidate from within its own ranks.
Gross has been under pressure to resign by the Christian Democratic Party, a junior party in the coalition, following a personal finance scandal over Gross's luxury apartment in Prague.
The Christian Democrats had said they would strongly consider pulling out of the three-party coalition, which also includes the neo-liberal Freedom Union, unless the Social Democrats remove Gross from his post.
If the Christian Democrats leave the government it will lose its parliamentary majority and would need votes from Communist Party members of Parliament to stay in office.
