On 24 March, the Czech parliament passed a vote of no confidence in the government headed by Mirek Topolanek. The entire opposition, including Social Democrats (CSSD) and Communists (KSCM), and four former members of the government coalition parties, the right-wing ODS and the Green Party, voted for the dismissal of the government. Topolanek's government is likely to carry on its function at least until the end of the Czech presidency of the EU, and new elections will be held either in autumn 2009 or at the beginning of 2010.
The fall of the government will weaken the Czech Republic's position during its presidency and reduce its chances of carrying out its ambitious plans. Nevertheless, it seems that Prague will cope with its tasks at the technical work level and instead will find it difficult to push through its key political initiatives.
