Czech president to dissolve parliament on August 28 to trigger snap election

Czech President Milos Zeman smiles after receiving the resignation of Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok's cabinet at the Prague Castle in Prague August 13, 2013. REUTERS/David W Cerny

PRAGUE (Reuters) - Czech President Milos Zeman will formally dissolve the lower house of parliament on August 28, his spokeswoman said on Thursday, setting the stage for an early election that could hand power to a leftist, pro-European government.

The election is expected to be called for October 25 and 26. Zeman will announce the election date at a news conference on Friday, his spokeswoman Hana Burianova said.