Deputies override two presidential vetoes

The Lower House of the Czech Parliament has overridden a presidential veto of an expropriation bill, which enables the authorities to issue a compulsory purchase order, when it is in the public's interest. This would speed up the construction of roads, motorways, and railways, for example. Czech President Vaclav Klaus vetoed the bill two weeks ago on the grounds that it was vague in specifying what public interest entailed and could therefore be abused.

Czech Deputies have also overturned a presidential veto of a law on sick benefits. As of next year, any benefits paid in the first two weeks when an employee is on sick leave will be covered by the employer and not by the state.