Government bill on bearer bonds passes through lower house

A government bill aimed at regulating the anonymous holding of shares was passed by the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday evening. Critics say the current widespread use of undocumented bearer bonds in the Czech Republic facilitates corruption. Under the new legislation, firms will have to register shares at a central depositary or lodge them in document form at a bank. However, the opposition Social Democrats say the bill does not go far enough; they plan to amend it when it goes before the Senate, which they dominate.

Author: Masha Volynsky