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In a surprise move, the Civic Democratic Party on Wednesday proposed the speaker of the lower house Miroslava Němcová as the country’s next prime minister. The choice of a woman to head the cabinet has been hailed as a smart move by commentators, but the response of the party’s coalition partners has been lukewarm and Ms. Němcová’s nomination for prime minister designate is in the hands of President Miloš Zeman, who has given no indication that he wants the present coalition to continue in office.

The three-day United Islands music festival, which gets underway in Prague on Thursday night, is being held this year for the 10th time. Performers will include visiting acts such as U.S. soul artist Aloe Blacc and Irish singer-songwriter Cathy Davey, as well as local outfits like Midi Lidi and the Plastic People of the Universe. However, the free event isn’t actually taking place on an island this year. As final preparations were underway, I spoke to United Islands organizer David Gaydečka.

According to documents quoted in the Czech media, the police believe that Petr Nečas, who stood down as prime minister on Monday, was personally involved in bribing former MPs. Indeed, with the woman who was his chief of staff on remand for bribery, along with the ex-deputies, it would appear logical that Mr. Nečas also be charged.

A fire at an electrical substation left many Prague’s residents without power on Tuesday night. The blackout did not cause any direct injuries, but left some stranded in lifts or without a way to get home.

Following the resignation of Prime Minister Petr Nečas, the race is on to find a suitable successor from among the Civic Democratic Party. The Civ Dems, together with coalition partners TOP 09 and LIDEM, are looking to put forward a candidate within a matter of days who could renew the government and remain in power until regular elections next year.

The opposition Social Democrats in the Prague city council have agreed to support TOP 09’s nominees for top positions at City Hall. On Thursday, the party’s Tomáš Hudeček will become the first mayor of Prague in 22 years not from the Civic Democratic Party. TOP 09 will hold a minority leadership but have been promised tacit support from across the aisle.

Prime Minister Petr Nečas bowed to mounting pressure from the opposition and his own coalition partners on Sunday, announcing his decision to step down over a scandal that has shaken the government to its foundations. The move, which has effectively brought down the coalition government, has plunged the country into a period of political uncertainty almost a year ahead of scheduled general elections.

With Prime Minister Petr Nečas stepping down, there are a still a number of different scenarios according to which the current government crisis may be resolved. What is clear is that it all hinges on President Miloš Zeman, who has the power to appoint a new prime minister or even a new government all together. Radio Prague spoke to the political analyst Jiří Pehe and asked him what could realistically happen next.

What is being described as one of the Czech Republic’s biggest ever political scandals has seen more astonishing twists. The most remarkable development has been the charging of the prime minister’s chief of staff with using the country’s military intelligence chiefs as a kind of personal spy service. But despite these damning accusations, the prime minister is stoutly resisting calls for his head.

A raid by the country’s organised crime unit at the Office of the Government and several other institutions has sent shockwaves throughout the country. Among those detained are former Civic Democrat MPs and a close aide to the prime minister. The scandal has rocked the Czech political scene and there is speculation it could result in the government’s fall.