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In an exclusive interview for Czech Radio on Sunday President Milos Zeman unveiled his position with regard to the ongoing political crisis. Following separate talks with the leaders of all parliamentary parties, the president indicated that he would not allow the centre-right coalition to continue in office and would take steps to appoint an interim government to run the country until scheduled or early elections.

Earlier this week, the country’s president, Miloš Zeman, suggested that early elections would be the more expensive option out of the current government crisis, costing around 500 million crowns and sweeping key legislation off the table. So far, it appears his words had little effect. A new poll commissioned by Czech Radio, suggests that early elections – as a way forward – are favoured by a majority of Czechs.

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.