Bill would strip convicted MPs of mandates

Lower house chairwoman Miroslava Němcová has proposed a bill to strip convicted MPs of their seats in Parliament. The constitutional amendment would not apply to those given a suspended sentence, such as former Public Affairs leader Vít Bárta who was convicted of bribery in April. Ms Němcová said that in addition to ethical considerations it would be impossible for a prisoner to carry out the rights and obligations of an MP. The bill will now be discussed by the government and must be approved by a two thirds majority in Parliament in order to take effect.