Czech government falls

The Czech Republic's centre-right government has lost a confidence motion by a single vote, after four MPs crossed the floor to vote with the opposition Social Democrats. The cabinet must now resign, and the President will appoint a new government which holds the confidence of Parliament. Looking at the numbers, that means a combination of Social Democrats, Communists, and the former ODS and Green MPs. Elections will only be held if three attempts to form a government fail.

This is highly embarrassing for the Czech government. Not only do they currently hold the rotating Presidency of the European Union - President Obama was about to pay them a visit. Now he'll be talking to a powerless caretaker - or a left-wing government.

Shrinking coalition watch

The Czechs are going home. So who's left playing along in Bush's mad crusade? The British (who are leaving), the Australians (who will be leaving next year if Labour wins the election), assorted Eastern European hangers on, and... El Salvador.

So much for the "Coalition of the Willing".

Let freedom ring

Or wedding bells, at least. The Czech Republic has become the latest country to join the civilised world and implement civil unions, with the Czech Parliament voting to overturn a presidential veto on the matter. The law is a compromise (as is ours), but an enormous improvement, and thus to be welcomed.