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Czech Social Democrats take early poll lead Czech Social Democrats take early poll lead
(35 minutes later)
The Social Democrats have taken a lead in the Czech parliamentary election, according to partial results.The Social Democrats have taken a lead in the Czech parliamentary election, according to partial results.
After more than half the ballots have now been counted, and the party has won almost 22% of the vote - a victory which was predicted by opinion polls.After more than half the ballots have now been counted, and the party has won almost 22% of the vote - a victory which was predicted by opinion polls.
But analysts say the Social Democrats are unlikely to win an overall majority, paving the way for another unstable coalition.But analysts say the Social Democrats are unlikely to win an overall majority, paving the way for another unstable coalition.
The election has come after months of political turmoil.The election has come after months of political turmoil.
The centre-right government of Petr Necas was brought down by a corruption scandal in June.The centre-right government of Petr Necas was brought down by a corruption scandal in June.
The country has been without a proper administration ever since - and is currently being governed by a caretaker cabinet of technocrats.The country has been without a proper administration ever since - and is currently being governed by a caretaker cabinet of technocrats.
Tough talks ahead
Final results are expected later on Saturday, but correspondents say that this election is likely be followed by weeks of difficult negotiations.Final results are expected later on Saturday, but correspondents say that this election is likely be followed by weeks of difficult negotiations.
The BBC's Rob Cameron, in Prague, says the Social Democrats had hoped to win enough to run the country if they were supported or at least tolerated by the Communists.The BBC's Rob Cameron, in Prague, says the Social Democrats had hoped to win enough to run the country if they were supported or at least tolerated by the Communists.
But it looks like even together, they may have enough votes to form a government, he says. But it looks like, even together, they may have enough votes to form a government, he says.
That would open the way for arduous talks on forming a coalition with some of the other parties in parliament.
The party which is currently running second, according to the partial results, is a new centrist party called ANO, which has an anti-corruption stance.
ANO has almost 19% of the vote, and the Communists have just over 15%.
Our correspondent says this election is being seen as a referendum on the relative popularity of the established parties - which have governed the Czech Republic for 20 years - and a crowd of colourful new parties.