CSSD’s (Social Democrats) leader, Jiri Paroubek, is said to have met ODS’s (Civis Democrats) leader Mirek Topolanak to discuss possible tolerance of the centre-right coalition Government. Paroubek spell out 5 conditions (i) no flat tax rate, (ii) no privatization of public services – presumably including CEZ, (iii) no increase of 5% VAT, (iv) no privatization of healthcare services and (v) no tuition fees. Paroubek also added that should ODS be willing to discuss these areas he would also be very constructive in the negotiations. The news confirm our assumption that neither party, ODS nor CSSD want to hold early elections and that a either tolerance of the centre-right Government or a Grand collation would be the most likely outcome meaning not extreme left nor right reforms.
Separately, the centre-right coalition agreed on removal of a tax on capital gains and dividends.