ECR welcomes Czech President's invitation to Petr Necas

4th June 2010

4th June 2010 -- The European Conservatives and Reformists group in the European Parliament (ECR) has welcomed Czech President Vaclav Klaus's invitation to Petr Necas - leader of ECR member party the Civic Democrats - to try to form a government over the coming fortnight.

Responding to the news, ECR chairman Michal Kaminski MEP said

"The centre-right were the victors in the recent Czech elections and I hope that we will shortly see the formation of a new centre-right government led by Mr Necas.

"The EU needs centre-right values and strong leadership, and I am confident that Mr Necas' appointment as Prime Minister would bring positive results for the Czech Republic and the EU.

"I hope that we will soon be able to welcome Mr Necas as the ECR's second Prime Minister, following the election of David Cameron last month."

Miroslav Ouzky MEP, the ECR's Czech delegation Chairman, said:

"The Czech voters have refused sixpenny populism and running into debt. They have chosen responsibility instead of the ´Greek way´. Together with other centre-right parties, the ODS is ready to form a coalition of budget austerity."

Jan Zahradil MEP, the ECR Group Vice Chairman from the Czech Republic, said:

"This victory of the centre-right will not only strengthen the position of the Czech Republic and help us to better face down the economic crisis. It will definitely strengthen our engagement in the ECR Group as well."

ENDS

Contact: ECR Czech delegation press officer: Jan Krelina on +32 493 214346 or ECR group spokesman: James Holtum on +32 473 861762