Coalition and opposition MPs call on Pekárek to resign

Coalition and opposition politicians have called on MP Roman Pekárek to vacate his seat in the lower house without delay. Under Czech law an MP cannot be forced to do so under any circumstances. The case has renewed debate on a proposal to amend the law so that an MP would automatically lose his mandate if found guilty of a crime. Deputy Pekárek’s continued presence in the lower house would not only be a public disgrace but the governing coalition could lose its fragile majority in the lower chamber. Roman Pekárek has refused to say what his intention is.