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Czech Social Democrats take early poll lead Czech election: Social Democrats lead but no clear winner
(about 1 hour later)
The Social Democrats have taken a lead in the Czech parliamentary election, according to partial results. The Social Democrats are leading the field in the Czech parliamentary elections, but they are likely to win by a slimmer margin than expected.
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. Nearly all the ballots have now been counted, and the party has won less than 21% of the vote.
But analysts say the Social Democrats are unlikely to win an overall majority, paving the way for another unstable coalition. Analysts say the result could pave the way for another unstable coalition, with the second-placed ANO party in a powerful bargaining position.
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 aheadTough 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 not 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.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. Social Democrat leader Bohuslav Sobotka admitted the results of the election "may not be what we imagined", but he told reporters he was ready to start negotiations with all parties.
Our correspondent says the real winner in this election is second-placed ANO, a new centrist party which campaigns against corruption and is run by a food and agriculture billionaire.
ANO has almost 19% of the vote, and the Communists have just over 15%.ANO has almost 19% of the vote, and the Communists have just over 15%.
The leader of ANO, Andrej Babis, has told reporters he could not envisage supporting a Social Democrat cabinet.
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.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.