Rebels of the governing coalition not planning to join eurosceptic party

Rebel deputies of the ruling Civic Democratic Party have rejected rumours that they are preparing to join the ranks of a new eurosceptic party being set up by people close to president Vaclav Klaus. Deputy Vlastimil Tlustý who has long pushed for a more radical tax reform said had not been contacted by the founder of the new party Petr Mach and that he had no interest in leaving the Civic Democrats. President Klaus’ decision to sever himself from the party he founded on the grounds that it had become too centrist and his support for the newly emerging eurosceptic party has fueled speculation that the already weakened government coalition could lose more deputies.