Archive: Domestic affairs | Politics Politics
“Invisible man” sworn is as new justice minister
New Justice Minister Pavel Blažek was sworn in by President Klaus on
Tuesday at 10am in a ceremony at Prague Castle also attended by Prime
Minister Petr Nečas. The relationship between Blažek and fellow Civic
Democrat Nečas, and the ability of the former to carry out his job
independently will undoubtedly be at the heart of assessments of the new
justice minister’s performance. More
Speculation rife about real reason behind justice minister’s fall
The sudden dismissal of one of the most popular members of the Czech
government, Justice Minister Jiří Pospíšil gave rise to intense
speculation about the real motivation of the move. Prime Minister Petr
Nečas reiterated on Thursday he had fired Mr Pospíšil over poor
management of the ministry. However, few believe this was the real reason
behind the fall of the justice minister. More
PM unexpectedly fires popular justice minister
President Václav Klaus dismissed Justice Minister Jiří Pospíšil on
Wednesday following a surprisingly rapid recommendation by the country’s
prime minister, Petr Nečas. The sacking of one of the most popular Czech
politicians came a day after the government discussed budget plans for next
year. Mr Nečas said that the minister had been sacked for failing to meet
austerity targets. Critics, though, charge there is another reason the
politician was shown the door. More
Legal assessment on Parkanová case sparks fresh political controversy
Former defense minister Vlasta Parkanová, who has come under suspicion of
abusing her position in an overpriced military aircraft deal, has a loyal
defender in Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek. The finance minister, who
previously served in the same cabinet in which Mrs Parkanová had the
defense portfolio, has called her possible prosecution unconstitutional. He
is basing his criticism on a statement from the Czech Institute of State
and Law. More
Middleman denies enormous profits on controversial CASA deal
The Omnipol company, which is at the centre of a scandal involving
allegedly overpriced military transport planes, has defended itself, saying
its profits from the deal were normal and amounted to far less than police
and the media have asserted. Meanwhile, a parliament committee has begun
examining the evidence to determine whether to give up MP and former
defence minister Vlasta Parkanová, who the police want to prosecute over
the deal. More
President vetoes controversial banishment bill
Czech President Václav Klaus on Tuesday vetoed a controversial bill which
would give towns the power to banish repeat offenders without permanent
residence from their territory for up to three months. Authors of the
legislation say it will provide a much needed tool to fight petty crime and
misdemeanours. But the president sided with the bill’s critics and said
it might be in breach of the constitution. More
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
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