MPs overturn presidential veto on national parks bill

MPs have overturned a presidential veto on new rules for the Czech Republic’s four national parks: Krkonoše, České Švýcarsko, Podyjí and Šumava. President Zeman had refused to sign the legislation, which had strong backing from environmental groups, saying it did not acknowledge the particularities of the Šumava national park. The Ministry of the Environment says the bill provides stability in that no changes can be made to a new system of zones in national parks for 15 years. The state is also now barred from selling off any of the land.