Christian Democrat head blasts delayed EU nomination

Christian Democrat leader Cyril Svoboda has criticized plans to put off the nomination of a Czech EU commissioner until after the autumn general elections. In a statement for the ČTK news agency Mr. Svoboda said the Czechs were throwing away the chance to gain an interesting portfolio in the new EC because of political squabbles at home. Interim Prime Minister Jan Fischer has expressed readiness to start talks which would produce a widely acceptable candidate but the two strongest parties on the Czech political scene, the Civic and Social Democrats have made a deal to postpone the debate until after the general elections.