Fate of government uncertain after rebel MP presents reform plans

The fate of the government remains uncertain, after Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek rejected changes to a reform package proposed by rebel Civic Democrat MP Vlastimil Tlusty. Mr Tlusty, briefly finance minister in a previous government, presented his version of a major package of tax and social welfare changes at a party meeting on Thursday. But while the prime minister said some of the MP's ideas were superb, he said they could not take precedence over agreements reached between the three governing parties. If Mr Tlusty carries out his threat to vote against the cabinet's reform bill the coalition could fall.