Cunek expresses desire to stay on as Christian Democrat leader

Despite pressure growing within his own party for him to resign, Christian Democrat leader Jiri Cunek has expressed a desire to stay on in his party's top post. On Friday Mr Cunek reacted to criticism from a number of senior figures as well as regional groups calling for his resignation, saying he had always intended to see through reforms as well as to unify his party - tasks he says he is still prepared to undertake.

Discontent with Mr Cunek's leadership has grown over the reopening of an investigation into alleged corruption from the time when he was the mayor of Vsetin, North Moravia, as well as over a fresh scandal which broke this week, in which it was alleged that Mr Cunek abused welfare benefits while a private citizen. Against the backdrop of the latest scandal, Mr Cunek said on Thursday he would give up the government posts of deputy prime minister, as well minister for regional development, next week.