Kalousek: Klaus agrees cost-cutting measures are necessary

The minister of finance, Miroslav Kalousek, says that President Václav Klaus agrees that cost-cutting measures being implemented by the government are needed. The minister made the comments on Tuesday after one of a series of meetings Mr Klaus is having with members of the recently appointed cabinet. The two discussed the government’s plans to balance the country’s budget and reform the pension, health and tertiary education systems. However, Mr Kalousek said there had been no discussion of a marked reduction in the president’s own salary.