Cabinet approves package of public finance reforms

The coalition cabinet of Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek has approved a package of public finance reforms aiming to reduce the country's fiscal deficit and prepare it for euro adoption in 2012. The reform package introduces changes in the tax and welfare systems as well as new fees in the healthcare system. The bill is to be discussed by the lower house during the summer. The opposition parties have said they will not support the bill and the package also faces criticism from within the coalition ranks.