MPs cut president’s budget over conviction of forestry official

MPs have voted to cut the budget of the Office of the President by CZK 30 million. The money pertains to forestry management. Backers of the move said it was in response to the conviction of Miloš Bálak, who was head of forestry administration at the presidential retreat at Lány near Prague, on large-scale corruption charges. He was later pardoned by President Miloš Zeman.

The money has been redirected to anti-drug policies and support for youth groups.