Archive: Domestic affairs | Politics Politics
Czech anti-corruption drive finally gaining momentum
The past few months have brought increasing evidence of the fact that after
years of futile efforts the anti-corruption drive in the Czech Republic is
finally producing results. Within a relatively short space of time the
police has sought and gained permission to prosecute four parliament
deputies and is said to be working on several other high profile cases. More
Police seeks to prosecute former defence minister for overpriced army deal
Czech MPs are to decide next week whether or not to allow the prosecution
of another of their colleagues – coalition MP, and deputy speaker of the
house Vlasta Parkanová. The anti-corruption police accuse the former
defence minister of wasting nearly 660 million crowns in a deal to buy
transport planes for the Czech military. Mrs. Parkanova’s party claims
the charges are unsubstantiated as the decision was taken by the whole
government. More
Roma request government representative
Representatives of a new Roma civic association had their first audience
with Prime Minister Petr Nečas on Monday. As the Roma community’s
problems seem to be worsening the group is seeking other support from that
government than investment, and have petitioned the prime minister for a
Roma cabinet position with real authority to effect change. More
MP David Rath fails to convince lower house of his innocence
The Czech Parliament had not seen the like of it – a member of
Parliament, held in police custody on corruption charges, was escorted to
the lower house where he tried to convince his fellow MPs of his innocence.
Such was the scene that unfolded in the Czech Chamber of Deputies on
Tuesday when MP David Rath accused everyone from the interior minister to
the police and prosecutors from destroying his career. But Mr Rath’s
speech failed to impress his colleagues who handed him over for
prosecution. More
Jindřich Šídlo – one of the country’s most prominent political journalists, part II
In last week’s One on One, we brought you the first part of this two-part
interview with Jindřich Šídlo, a political analyst and commentator who
currently writes for the daily Hospodářské noviny. Given that he has
been covering Czech politics for some 20 years, we spoke to him about the
latest corruption cases, the future of politics in this country and if he
ever gets tired covering the Czech political scene. More
Government approves bill banning bearer shares
The government of Petr Nečas approved a bill that will regulate bearer
shares and allow authorities to identify their owners. If passed by
Parliament, the anti-corruption measure, which was announced by Deputy
Prime Minister Karolína Peake on Wednesday, will force companies to
register bearer shares in a central depository kept by the stock exchange,
or deposit them with banks. More
Demonstrators hold protest happenings in front of Education and Culture ministries
Demonstrators gathered outside of two government ministries on Tuesday to
protest against government reforms and austerity measures. The all-day
happening (which included outdoor concerts, theatre and public debate) was
organised by student activists and union reps behind the Stop the
Government movement. Already the event, the first of five planned over the
next two weeks, has drawn criticism from the prime minister. More
Immunity Committee votes unanimously to strip Rath of immunity
The Parliamentary Committee on Mandates and Immunity on Tuesday voted
unanimously to recommend MP David Rath be stripped of immunity and
prosecuted for corruption. After a two-hour meeting with Dr Rath, and
studying part of the police evidence against him, the parliamentarians were
unconvinced of his claims of a conspiracy against him and his not knowing
he had received a box full of bribery money. Many of them shared new
details of the arrest, evidence and the condition of the fallen governor
himself. More
Defiant David Rath remains in police custody
As Czechs are slowly digesting the shocking case of the Social Democrat
politician David Rath, more details emerge about his arrest and the crime
he allegedly committed. The opposition MP and governor of Central Bohemia
was arrested on Monday with seven million crowns in his possession. While
Mr Rath maintains his innocence, he has been charged with corruption, and
remains in detention. More
Prominent Social Democrat MP charged with corruption
One of the most prominent figures of the opposition Social Democratic
party, MP and Central Bohemian governor David Rath has been charged with
corruption. Mr. Rath was arrested on Monday night along with seven other
people in a large-scale police operation that is believed to be linked to
abuse of EU funds. More
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