Human rights minister steps down

Human Rights and Minorities Minister Michael Kocáb stepped down on Monday, a week after the Greens, who nominated him for the post, withdrew support for the caretaker government. Mr Kocáb said he did not step down immediately to make sure his resignation would not trigger a government crisis. The Green Party withdrew its support for the cabinet after Environment Minister Jan Dusík, stepped down last week over pressure concerning controversial plans to modernize a major Czech coal power plant.

Mr Kocáb, who announced his resignation on Friday, served as human rights and minorities minister since January 2009. His major efforts focused on improving the situation of Romanies as well as on equal opportunities for gays and other minorities. Prime Minister Jan Fischer said he would talk to the two strongest parties about the future of the post; he might also take over Mr Kocáb’s agenda himself until May’s general elections.