PM hands over industry minister's resignation

Prime Minister Petr Nečas has met with President Václav Klaus to hand over the resignation of Trade and Industry Minister Martin Kocourek. Mr. Kocourek resigned last week amidst allegations of corruption and financial irregularities. The prime minister is expected to propose a successor to the post from his own Civic Democratic Party within a week's time. Among the possible candidates for the position are Zbyněk Stanjura, head of the party’s deputies’ group in the lower house and one of the party’s leading economic experts Michal Doktor.