Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek

BRECLAV, Czech Republic (Reuters) - Czech political rivals launched their campaigns on Tuesday for an October general election that will shape the country's response to the economic crisis and a fast-growing budget shortfall. The Czech Republic slid into recession after western European demand for its exports declined, sending the fiscal gap over 5 percent of gross domestic product and delaying plans to adopt the euro. The main right-wing party moved slightly ahead of its left-wing rivals in early summer, polls showed, but none is close to winning an outright majority in the Oct 9-10 election. That opens several options on the make-up of the ... Read Full Story

Artists Tomas Cap and Michal Kraus have turned public anger at Czech lawmakers i nto an art form . They have assembled a 'target' made up of small plastic boxes, each box bearing the portrait of lower-house deputies. This plastic box assemblage has been placed on the wall of a Prague alternative gallery in front of a mounted air gun with all the ammo you need. Visitors are invited to shoot the politico they love-to-hate, and many have been eagerly taking up the offer. Those keen to take a shot include people from all walks of life - from managers to pensioners. The exhibition ... Read Full Story

PRAGUE (Reuters) - Czech activists pelted the leader of the leftist Social Democrats with hundreds of eggs at a rally on Wednesday ahead of European and national elections. The incident illustrated growing political tensions in the central European country fed by a personal rivalry between ex-Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek and leftist leader Jiri Paroubek. Paroubek triggered the fall of Topolanek's cabinet in March, halfway through the country's term as EU president. The European Parliament election on June 5-6 is followed by a national poll planned for October. Topolanek's backers have criticized Paroubek for his tough style and fear he could join forces with the ... Read Full Story

The Czech prime minister canceled a vote to allow the United States to put a key part of its planned missile defense system in the Central European country, the government announced late Tuesday. Read Full Story

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