Deputies overturn presidential vetoes on mothers’ benefits and emissions permits for airlines

The lower house has overturned a presidential veto of a bill increasing social benefits for mothers from June 1. The Social Democrats, Communists, Christian Democrats and Greens all defeated the veto, which blocked a return to benefits at 70 percent of mothers’ assessment base; that had been cut to 60 percent under previous legislation. Deputies also overturned a veto by President Václav Klaus on a bill forcing airlines operating in the Czech Republic to buy emissions permits. The government-sponsored legislation is aimed at making them pay for the damage planes do the environment.

Author: Ian Willoughby