led coalition, which has run the country since 2002. The offer led to negotiations and eventually the agreement, which appeared to have come unstuck hours later. Under the agreement, each party would have the right to fill certain cabinet posts, and the entire government would be subject to a confidence vote in parliament. The main opposition party, the right-wing Civic Democrats (ODS), has given its preliminary approval. Klaus said he welcomed the ODS decision, since it will end opposition calls for early elections. The new coalition also would lock out the communists, the second largest opposition party, and presumably hold power until the next parliamentary election in June 2006. --SP 2331 Local Time 2031 GMT
