Czech lawmakers vote to dissolve lower house

Czech lawmakers on Tuesday voted to dissolve the lower house of parliament, paving the way for an early election possibly to be held in late October.

Of the 147 lawmakers present in the 200-seat lower house, or Chamber of Deputies, 140 supported the self-dissolution. This is for the first time the lawmakers used the possibility of the Chamber's self-dissolution since the relevant amendment to the Constitution took effect four years ago.

The proposal was supported by lawmakers for the Social Democratic Party (CSSD), TOP 09, the Communists (KSCM) and the Public Affairs (VV).

Now the lower house will be dissolved by President Milos Zeman, who will also call a new election.

The Czech cabinet led by Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok last Tuesday submitted its resignation to President Zeman after it failed to win a vote of confidence in parliament. Zeman accepted the resignation and asked the current cabinet to continue working until a new government is appointed.

After former Prime Minister Petr Necas resigned over a spy and bribery scandal, Zeman appointed Rusnok as prime minister of a caretaker government on July 10 against the will of the parties in parliament.