Controversy over new post for European affairs

The government wants to set up the post of state secretary for European affairs, to make up for a scrapped ministerial post with the same portfolio, the daily Pravo writes in its Saturday edition. The state secretary would be answerable directly to the prime minister. The paper says that according to well-informed sources the position should go to a member of the Civic Democrats. The plan has reportedly evoked criticism for the Civic Democrat’s coalition partners – TOP 09 and Public Affairs who claim that the prime minister’s party is trying to strengthen its position in cabinet at their expense.