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Current AffairsCentre-right coalition government weathers first serious crisis
The centre-right coalition government weathered its first serious crisis on
Tuesday surviving a no-confidence motion tabled by the opposition in the
wake of a massive corruption scandal at the Environment Ministry. Although
the ruling parties opposed the no-confidence motion as one man, the scandal
has further undermined coalition unity and tarnished the image of a
government that has upheld a strict anti-corruption stance. More
Current AffairsCzech coalition government faces vote of no confidence
The centre-right Czech government is going through its first major crisis
since it took office in July. The coalition cabinet is facing a vote of no
confidence over a corruption scandal at the Environment Ministry. Ahead of
the vote, one of the coalition parties, Public Affairs, refused to pledge
support for the cabinet, and walked out of Monday’s talks with its
partners in the power-sharing deal. In a last-minute attempt to ensure
backing for the government in the lower house, President Václav Klaus
weighed in and met with coalition leaders. More
Current AffairsCzech politicians are better at denying corruption than media are at exposing it, says pundit
Czech Environment Minister Pavel Drobil stepped down on Wednesday. His
announcement followed the release of recordings made by the head of a
department at his ministry, Libor Michálek, purporting to show Mr
Drobil’s advisor pressuring him into corruption aimed at funding the
minister’s political career. Another tape appeared to show Mr Drobil
offering Mr Michálek a promotion – if he destroyed the original
evidence. Pavel Drobil’s Civic Democrat party boss, Prime Minister Petr
Necas, is standing by him – and both argue that his only mistake was a
poor choice of subordinates. Radio Prague spoke to the commentator Erik
Best about the implications of the latest Czech corruption scandal. More
Current AffairsEnvironment minister steps down amidst corruption scandal
The Czech environment minister, Civic Democrat Pavel Drobil, has announced
his resignation over a corruption scandal at the ministry. Mr Drobil’s
decision came hours after the daily Mladá fronta Dnes exposed practices
aimed at channelling money from the ministry-controlled State Environmental
Fund. More
Current AffairsJunior party warns it will push through priorities or leave government
Public Affairs – the junior partner in the government coalition – held
a policy conference at the weekend seen largely as a litmus test on the
party’s future direction. After rising to the forefront of Czech politics
in May, the party lost much of its lustre almost as quickly, finding all
too little room to manoeuvre next to its right-of-centre partners. At the
weekend, party members, including leader Radek John, pledged to push more
strongly their top priorities such as their anti-corruption package or a
new softer approach on a number of previously agreed reforms. More
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