Czech president to appoint Sobotka prime minister on Jan 17

Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD) leader Bohuslav Sobotka speaks to the media in front of the Lany chateau after meeting President Milos Zeman (not seen) in the village of Lany near Prague November 21, 2013.

(Reuters) - Czech President Milos Zeman said on Friday he would appoint Social Democrat leader Bohuslav Sobotka as prime minister on January 17, paving the way for a center-left coalition to take power after months of political stalemate.

Sobotka will then ask Zeman to appoint his cabinet.

Zeman told Reuters on Thursday that he had reservations about some nominations for ministers, but it was "very realistic" to expect the full cabinet would be appointed by the end of the month.