Coalition leaders support government following late-night talks

Prime Minister Petr Fiala says both his Civic Democratic Party and the Mayors and Independents want the current government to remain in place, despite the recent bitcoin scandal. After a late-night meeting on Tuesday in Parliament, Fiala told reporters that both parties agree on the need for full transparency in the case that led to the resignation of Justice Minister Pavel Blažek.

Blažek stepped down after it emerged that the Ministry of Justice had accepted a bitcoin donation worth one billion crowns from a man convicted of drug trafficking, embezzlement, and illegal possession of weapons. The scandal has raised serious concerns about oversight and public trust in the ministry.

Mayors and Independents leader Vít Rakušan said his party did not attend the talks intending to bring down the government. Instead, they proposed what he called rational steps to calm the situation and rebuild confidence. He welcomed Fiala’s promise to visit the Mayors and Independents parliamentary group ahead of a possible no-confidence vote, already being pushed by the opposition ANO party.