Prime minister says Jiří Čunek may return to government

Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek has indicated that Christian Democrat leader Jiří Čunek, who resigned from his government posts late last year because of corruption allegations is welcome to return to the cabinet. The prime minister made this statement just two hours before the start of Friday’s presidential elections at Prague Castle, fuelling speculation that it was a concession made in return for Christian Democrat votes for Václav Klaus. The Green Party, the third party in government, is vehemently opposed to Mr. Čunek’s return. Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg has said he would leave the Cabinet if Mr. Čunek was invited back.