Row over privatization of hospitals may reach EC

A row over the privatization of ten health care facilities in central Bohemia may reach the European Commission. The opposition Social Democrats say they are prepared to file a complaint with the European Commission unless the sales are halted. The party mainly objects to the price for which the hospitals are being sold calling it daylight robbery. Under the agreements reached the region will receive 466 million crowns for the hospitals but the leading opposition party maintains that their value is an estimated 1.2 billion crowns. Richard Dolejs, head of the party's central Bohemian branch says the region gave preferential treatment to selected business entities which is at variance with European law.