Archive: Domestic affairs | Politics Politics
Were Kalousek calls an attempt to intimidate the police president?
Police president Petr Lessy dropped a political bombshell on Thursday,
revealing that over a week ago he was repeatedly called by the finance
minister over an ongoing police investigation into the CASA military plane
purchase. Speaking before the Security Committee on Thursday, Mr Lessy made
clear he considered the calls at best highly inappropriate, if not a direct
attempt at intimidation. The minister himself has denied any wrongdoing,
while the opposition has already called for his head. More
Parliamentary immunity comes under renewed scrutiny
Parliament on Wednesday voted to revoke the immunity of its deputy
chairwoman, Vlasta Parkanová, who police suspect of having made a highly
disadvantageous military purchase when she was defence minister in 2009.
While the case has been a matter of huge debate in recent weeks, the fact
that the current lower house has now given up more of its members than any
other has lead to a broader discussion on whether parliamentary immunity
serves any useful purpose. More
Parliamentary committee recommends for MP and former defence minister to be stripped of immunity
Parliament’s Mandate and Immunity Committee has advised deputies in the
lower house to strip coalition MP Vlasta Parkanová of immunity. The former
defence minister is suspected of abuse of public office and breach of trust
in connection with a 3.5 billion crown purchase of military planes during
her term in office. More
“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
+1
+10
