Government rejects civil service bill

The outgoing Czech government on Wednesday rejected a civil service bill put forth by the Social Democrats. Prime Minister Jiří Rusnok said the draft legislation could not be implemented as some of its provisions were likely in contradiction to the Constitution. In a reaction, Social Democrat chairman Bohuslav Sobotka said the bill was carefully designed, and expressed hope the legislation would be approved by the lower house.

The adoption of a civil service act might be crucial for the appointment of the new government as it would allow leader of one of the coalition parties, Andrej Babiš, hold a ministerial position despite being listed as a collaborator of the communist secret police.