Klaus vetoes mining amendment

President Václav Klaus has vetoed a bill that would have banned the expropriation of land for mining. According to the president, the legislation would have significantly impacted energy policy, taking away a primary tool, and led the way to increased speculation over properties. The president’s veto, which can still be overturned by Parliament, was welcomed by leaders in the region of Ústí, where coal mining is an important industry, but criticised by environmentalists. Municipalities that could lose land to mining in the future are Horní Jiřetín, Černice and Karviná.

Author: Jan Richter