Fiscal reform passed in second reading

The government's fiscal reform package was approved by the Lower House of the Czech Parliament in the second reading on Wednesday while Ludvik Hovorka of the Christian Democrats was the only coalition deputy who did not vote for the reform. The Lower House is scheduled to vote on the final adoption of the reform package on Tuesday but former finance minister and Civic Democratic Party deputy Vlastimil Tlusty told the CTK news agency that further changes need to be incorporated into the reform so that he votes for it next week. According to Mr Tlusty the planned cuts in tax rebates are too high and would actually increase the tax burden for many people in 2009. Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek now wants to meet with Mr Tlusty to debate possible changes to the reform package.