Zeman is an equally bold move.

WSJ: Zdenek Zeman: The Return of Soccer's Jedi

After the last general election, he wangled a deal with the winning Social Democrats, led by Milos Zeman, who had failed to secure an outright majority in parliament.

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne

All the better for the centre-left Social Democrats, whose loud-mouthed leader, Milos Zeman, now runs a minority government, under an opaque deal with the supposedly free-market (and supposedly opposition) Civic Democrats.

ECONOMIST: The Czech Republic's politics

President Vaclav Havel has criticised Mr Zeman's announcement, warning it could make Czechs an unreliable ally in the eyes of the United States.

BBC: News | Europe | Czech unease over Mideast radio plan

Zeman's critics say he wears players out, an accusation he disputes.

WSJ: Zdenek Zeman: The Return of Soccer's Jedi

Unlike his predecessor, the notoriously euro-sceptic Vaclav Klaus, Mr Zeman describes himself as a euro-federalist and is an advocate of closer European integration, though he believes that the Czech Republic should take its time over joining the euro.

BBC: Czech Republic profile

If, as is likely, an early election does happen, the Social Democrats, led by Milos Zeman, would probably win hands down, then form the backbone of a new administration, albeit in cahoots with Mr Lux and perhaps taking in refugees from the other right-wing parties.

ECONOMIST: Is a Czech era ending?

Meanwhile, he is sticking to an odd deal whereby he and his Civic Democratic Party prop up the current minority government of Milos Zeman, a Social Democrat, with votes in parliament, so long as Mr Klaus, as parliament's speaker, is allowed to help set the agenda.

ECONOMIST: The Czech Republic