News

Paroubek to inform Klaus about Social Democrat coalition government proposal

Social Democrat chairman Jiri Paroubek is due to meet President Vaclav Klaus on Thursday to inform the president of the latest proposal by his party regarding the solution to the ongoing political crisis. The Social Democrats expect the new cabinet of Prime Minister Topolanek will not receive a vote of confidence from the lower house, therefore the party is offering a coalition agreement to the Civic Democrats and the Christian Democrats for a third attempt to form a government since inconclusive elections in June. If the two parties do not accept the proposal, the Social Democrats say they are ready to form a minority cabinet and seek a vote of confidence.

Lower house chairman admits possible Social Democrat tolerance of centre-right coalition

However, the chairman of the lower house, Social Democrat Miloslav Vlcek, has admitted the Social Democrats might still discuss possible tolerance of the centre-right coalition government of the Civic and Christian Democrats and the Greens. He said the coalition would have to make changes to its programme. On Tuesday, Social Democrat leader Jiri Paroubek ruled out support for the centre-right coalition, saying that his party was still waiting for its chance to try and form a government.

Government line-up finalised

On Tuesday, the line-up was finalised of the proposed centre-right coalition government involving the Civic Democrats, the Christian Democrats and the Green Party. Cyril Svoboda, former foreign minister, is to become minister without portfolio and chairman of the government's legislative council, while film director Helena Trestikova is to take up the post of culture minister. Nominations to other ministerial posts remain as originally proposed. Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek is now expected to officially present the new government to the president.

Once his government is appointed Mr. Topolanek will have thirty days in which to ask the lower house for a vote of confidence. So far he can rely on the support of the Civic Democrat parliamentary party in the lower chamber. Mr Topolanek said he would try to negotiate support from the opposition Social Democrats - either as a party or if need be from individual members.

Gay Initiative ends its activities in Czech Republic

The Gay Initiative has ended its activities in the Czech Republic saying its main objectives had been achieved. The civic association in support of gays and lesbians was set up in 1990, shortly after the fall of communism, to fight prejudices against gays and lobby for equal rights and opportunities for gays and lesbians. The association's chairman Jiri Hromada said at his last news conference on Wednesday that he was happy to say that most of the association's goals had been achieved and that the public's attitude towards gays had changed radically for the better. The Czech Republic was the first post-communist state to pass a law enabling same-sex registered partnerships.

Number of road deaths decreases in wake of new road law

The number of deaths on Czech roads has decreased sharply following the introduction of a strict new road law in July of last year. According to statistics 951 people were killed in road accidents in 2006, which is the lowest figure in sixteen years. This is ascribed to the new points system which enables the police to confiscate drivers' licenses for a certain number of transgressions and the increased presence of traffic police on the roads in recent months.

Prague department store to be declared cultural monument

The Culture Ministry has finally decided that the Prague department store, formerly known as "Maj" will be declared a cultural monument. Culture Minister Martin Stepanek on Wednesday dismissed a protest by the building's owner, the Czech Republic's branch of Tesco, against an earlier decision by the ministry to that effect. The ministry says the building, located in the centre of Prague, is an important piece of architecture of the 1970s, relating to the functionalist style of the period between the two world wars.

Taiwan based BenQ to launch Czech LCD screen and monitor plant

Taiwan-based digital, mobile and electronics manufacturing group BenQ will construct an LCD screen and monitor factory in the Czech Republic's second city, Brno, the project's local promoter CTP Invest has said. According to the internet news server, Aktualne.cz, the factory will have eight assembly lines capable of producing around 500,000 LCD screens and 500,000 monitors a year. The new plant, employing around 700 people, should begin production in the third quarter of the year, it added.

Weather

The next few days are expected to be partly cloudy to overcast with scattered snow showers and daytime highs reaching 7 degrees Celsius.