Former environment minister says ministry loosing precious know-how

Former environment minister Martin Bursík claims environment experts are leaving the ministry in droves and are being replaced by unqualified party officials. In an interview for Tuesday’s Mladá fronta Dnes daily, Mr. Bursík slammed the current environment minister Tomas Chalupa from the ruling Civic Democratic Party for allegedly driving away the core of professionals established over the years and replacing them with yes-men whose only qualification is party membership or membership in the Young Conservatives Association. Mr. Bursik claims minister Chalupa’s mission is to weaken the ministry while indirectly boosting the position of the industry and transport ministries in the government.