Tension mounts in ruling coalition

Tension is high in the Czech ruling coalition after Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka of the Social Democrats indicated he might dismiss Finance Minister Andrej Babis over his private financial transactions. The prime minister hit out at Mr. Babiš on Thursday, accusing him of hurting the reputation of the government and the Czech Republic by failing to explain his controversial business activities. The lower house of Parliament has asked Babiš to provide a satisfactory explanation by the end of April. Following a verbal cross fire on Thursday, when the finance minister hinted he was ready to go if the prime minister wanted to sack him, M. Sobotka said he would wait for his explanation before deciding on how to proceed. Babiš has denied any wrong doing and is reported to have sent the speaker of Parliament a letter explaining his business transactions relating to tax-free bonds.