Rath re-nominated for the post of health minister

The clash of wills between the Czech Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek and President Vaclav Klaus over who should head the Czech Health Ministry continues. President Klaus refused to appoint the Prime Minister's nominee David Rath on Thursday, citing conflict of interest since Mr. Rath heads of the main doctors' association, the Czech Medical Chamber. The Prime Minister first sought a way around the rejection, appointing Mr. Rath deputy health minister. On Friday he re-nominated him for the post of health minister, threatening legal action to push the appointment through.

Meanwhile, the Czech Medical Chamber has said it will amend its statutes to allow Mr. Rath to suspend his chairmanship temporarily.