Czechs go to the polls in a general election

[pampango]

Source: BBC

Two days of voting are about to begin in a general election in the Czech Republic, in what is predicted to be a tight race. The left-wing Social Democrats lead the opinion polls, but it is thought they will fall short of a majority.

Major campaign issues have included cutting the deficit, pension reform and stamping out corruption. But with no party expected to win an overall majority, the political stability needed to tackle the issues effectively could prove elusive, says the BBC's Rob Cameron in Prague. The country has had an interim administration since the centre-right government was toppled halfway through the country's European Union presidency in March 2009.

Opinion polls put support for the Social Democrats at 30%, while the right-wing Civic Democrats (ODS) are on about 20%. The Communists are predicted to take third place. The three parties are the front-runners in a crowded field: 25 parties fielding some 5,000 candidates are competing for 200 seats in the lower house of Czech parliament.

The Czech Republic has managed to sail through the worst of the economic crisis, thanks to relatively low levels of debt and continued growth, our correspondent says.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/europe/10180591.stm

[David__77]

1. A socialist-communist coalition would be best.

I am hoping for a higher-than-expected vote for the KSCM (communists). I wouldn't be surprised given the crisis sweeping Europe and the ineptitude of the "center left."

[Joanne98]

2. Czechs vote in hope to end policy deadlock

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - Czech voters wary of debt and angry about graft voted for a new government Friday, with polls forecasting a tight result that could lead to protracted coalition talks and extend a decade of delays to reforms.

World

The two-day election pits poorer and older voters against younger and wealthier city-dwellers who clash over how to handle the Czech Republic's budget, thrown into deeper deficit by the economic crisis.

Rightist parties warn of a Greek-style economic meltdown, while leftists pledge to cut spending but boost taxes for high earners and firms to fund higher welfare payouts.

The leftist Social Democrats lead opinion polls. But they will fall short of a majority and may find it difficult to find coalition partners to form a strong government and push through its welfare agenda. It may even be forced into opposition.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64R2L020100528