Crisis over

The coalition partners agreed early this morning on a new cabinet under a new premier. The details are being kept quiet, but it appears that this was the best of the possible quick fixes. The Communists have been held back, and political stability can be regained in a short time. The CR faces decisions on taxes, EU integration, pension reform, housing availability, the Chinese consumer-product invasion and government debt, but debate on these issues has been supplanted by the animosities and ambitions of individual politicians. According to details released by iDnes, even the cabinet reshuffle approved last night will mainly be a way to get rid of ministers who stepped on someone's toes (Stanislav Gross, Cyril Svoboda, Martin Jahn, Jaroslav Palas). One positive thing, at least, is that Jan Kohout will become the first Czech PM in three years who speaks English. [Czech Republic prime minister MFD]