Czech President Vaclav Klaus on Friday appointed a new government of unaffiliated experts, headed by Jan Fischer, to replace Mirek Topolanek's center-right coalition government which was forced to step down after losing a no-confidence vote in March.
Fischer's cabinet consists of ministers nominated by the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), the Social Democratic Party (CSSD) and the Green Party (SZ).
Under an agreement between the parties, the cabinet will lead the country until early elections due in mid October.
At a ceremony, Klaus congratulated members of the new government, and reminded them of their responsibility ensuing from their appointment.
Fischer's government has 17 members, one fewer than the previous one, as the posts of justice minister and head of the Government Legislative Council will be both held by one member.
The main tasks of Fischer's cabinet include the completion of the Czech EU presidency, which ends on June 30.
The government will also have to deal with the consequences of the economic crisis and prepare the 2010 budget bill.
Fischer and his finance minister said they will try to keep the draft budget deficit below 150 billion crowns (7.6 billion U.S. dollars).
In 30 days from its appointment, the new government has to ask the Chamber of Deputies for a confidence vote.
Mirek Topolanek, the outgoing prime minister, has handed over the government to his successor Jan Fischer and promised support to Fischer on behalf of his Civic Democrats (ODS) party and the former three-party government coalition.
The uncertainty which followed the previous government's fall ends on Friday.
Source: Xinhua
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