PRAGUE - Embattled Czech Prime Minister Stanislav Gross said for the first time Thursday that he would be willing to step down to put an end to a government crisis, Social Democrats (CSSD) party spokeswoman Lucie Orgonikova told AFP.
"Stanislav Gross said he is ready to step down but only after the line-up of the new government has been agreed and approved. That could take some time," Orgonikova added.
The prime minister, who has been under attack for two months over his family's finances, said none of the three parties' leading members should be members of the cabinet.
"The Czech Social Democratic Party is offering a one-off agreement.. which would make it possible to form a government with a pro-European majority. It would comprise no prominent representatives of (the three coalition) parties and would be headed by a prime minister nominated by the Social Democrats," Gross earlier told journalists after a meeting of the CSSD.
Gross, 35, survived a vote of no confidence in parliament last Friday only with the implicit support of the 41 Communist party MPs who abstained after the 21 KDU-CSL MPS voted against Gross's government.
The prime minister has also been under fierce attack from KDU-CSL leader Miroslav Kalousek, who insists the present coalition should continue without Gross.
Gross has been under fire for failing to fully explain how he paid for his luxury Prague flat six years ago. Until now he has refused to step down, insisting it was not in the country's best interest.
In the past week five ministers have handed in their resignation and others have said they will not stay in a Cabinet supported by the Communists, making Gross's position seem increasingly untenable.
The CSSD met Thursday afternoon to discuss the situation and for the first time discussed the serious possibility of replacing Gross.
"Our priority is having a stable government and realising the programme of the CSSD. One of those things is ensuring the CSSD hold the prime minister's post," added Finance Minister and CSSD deputy Chairman Bohuslav Sobotka, one of the frontrunners to take over from Gross, as he left the meeting.
"This is good news. We have said all along that we believe the best solution is for the coalition to continue with a different prime minister," KDU-CSL leader Miroslav Kalousek told state-owned Czech Television.
Czech President Vaclav Klaus said on Tuesday that if the Cabinet fell he would entrust formation of a new government to the CSSD as the largest party represented in the lower parliament.
04/07/2005 17:51 GMT