President vetoes change to conflict of interest law

Czech President Václav Klaus has vetoed an amendment to the country’s conflict of interest law which would see politicians having to declare the value of the properties they own. According to Mr Klaus, the amendment is ‘unsystematic, ill-conceived and chaotic’ and infringes upon an individual’s right to privacy. The president said he was unhappy with the fact that, under the new legislation, head teachers of both primary and secondary schools would have to, in theory, make public their property assets as well. The amendment can still be passed in spite of Mr Klaus’s veto if a majority of deputies in the Czech lower house vote to overrule the president’s decision.

Author: Rosie Johnston