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Czech lower house votes to dissolve itself

Snap elections to be held in near future

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

PRAGUE, August 20 (Itar-Tass) - Deputies of the lower house of the Czech parliament voted on Tuesday for its early dissolution, clearing the way for an early election.

A total of 140 parliamentarians voted in favor of the dissolution well above the necessary 120. Only seven legislators voted against.

This move clears the way for an early parliamentary election that under the Constitution must take place no later than 60 days after this decision.

Regular elections were due in May 2014.

Previously, President of the Czech Republic Miloš Zeman has accepted the resignation of the cabinet from Prime Minister Jiří Rusnok.

Zeman ordered the resigned ministers to carry out their duties until early parliamentary elections that are likely to be held in October this year.

Rusnok's cabinet took up its duties July 10. From the very beginning this cabinet had been called 'interim', 'temporary' or 'technical'. The need for this cabinet to submit resignation arised last Wednesday, when members of the lower house voted for no confidence to Rusnok's cabinet.

August 20, the members of the parliament's lower house will decide on its voluntary dissolution. After that Miloš Zeman will name the exact date of early parliamentary elections that in compliance with the Constitution must be held within 60 days after the dissolving of the lower house of parliament.

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