Prague - The Czech government wants the public to decide on the proposed EU fiscal treaty in a plebiscite.
Two of the three coalition parties, the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and Public Affairs, were in favor of a referendum, while TOP 09 opposed it.
"TOP 09 ministers were against (the proposition of a referendum). The political representation has to take responsibility for its steps in such a complex issue," said Jaromír Drábek from TOP09.
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Even Czech PM Petr Nečas (ODS) admitted that the government discussion failed to bring an unequivocal decision.
"This does not necessarily mean there will be a referendum in the end," Nečas added. "We will make the final decision once the definitive version of the treaty is known."
In addition, the PM reminded that the government will need the Czech president's authorization to sign the EU treaty. And Czech President Václav Klaus has already publicly said he is against the fiscal treaty.
PM Nečas also said that the Czech government has not decided on a possible loan to the IMF yet. Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek has only been asked to prepare a detailed proposition.
However, Mr Nečas said that even if the Czech Republic participated in the loan, the EU 3.5bil sum would not be acceptable.
"The sum will have to be significantly smaller," he said.
The Czech Republic is the last EU country whose position on the IMF loan is still unknown.
