Czech govt steps down after defeat

Prague [Czech Republic], November 7: About a month after being defeated in parliamentary elections, the liberal-conservative government in the Czech Republic officially announced on Thursday that it is resigning.
Outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala promised in Prague that everything would be done to ensure a smooth handover of power. He said that the country is in better shape now than when his government took office four years ago.
The Cabinet will continue to perform its duties on an interim basis until a new government is appointed, he said.
The strongest force in the new Chamber of Deputies is the right-wing populist ANO party led by former prime minister Andrej Babis.
The billionaire has signed a coalition agreement with two parties on the right wing, the Motorists' Party and the Freedom and Direct Democracy party (SPD).
ANO and the two other parties hold 108 of the 200 seats in the lower house.
However, the process of forming a new government is likely to be protracted. The liberal president, Petr Pavel, has the responsibility of appointing a prime minister.(dpa)
Source: Qatar Tribune