Hanáková prepared to take over Ministry of Culture

The TOP 09 party has put forward MP Alena Hanáková for the post of Minister of Culture. Ms Hanáková is a member of the Mayors and Independents Party which is associated with TOP 09. A movement by some Czech artists to appoint arts academy chancellor Ivo Mathé was heard by the TOP 09 party, but unravelled after Mr Mathé failed to reach an agreement with party chairman Karel Schwarzenberg. President Klaus will accept the resignation of outgoing culture minister Jiří Besseron Friday. His departure from the cabinet was compelled by the fact that he had failed to report property and business interests in the United States in his property statement. The Mayors and Independents Party has said he will stay on as deputy chairman as he was not guilty of any legal wrongdoing.