国际英语新闻:Czech PM formally resigns over graft scandal

PRAGUE, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas formally handed in his resignation to President Milos Zeman on Monday in the wake of a corruption scandal that has engulfed his government

Necas announced his intention to resign from his post on Sunday following the imprisonment of his chief of staff Jana Nagyova.

The resignation was accepted. Necas will continue in his post until the next government is named.

Earlier on Monday, he also resigned as ODS leader. The party is now headed by its First Deputy Chairman Martin Kuba.

Representatives of the government coalition ODS, TOP 09 and LIDEM parties hope to reach agreement on the creation of the next cabinet. The prime minister may be again a Civic Democrat.

Zeman will meet party leaders to discuss the current situation. He said he expected the parties to use the time until Friday to debate the situation both in their leading bodies and among themselves.

Necas' resignation puts an end to his government that was elected in May 2010.

Necas will continue to serve in the chamber of deputies as one of its members, but has said he wants to leave politics.