News
Jiri Paroubek withholds resignation
The outgoing Social Democratic cabinet led by Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek has decided not to tender its resignation quite yet. Last Wednesday, Mr. Paroubek announced that his cabinet would resign on Monday to make way for a new government, but after MPs failed to elect a new chair of the lower house last Thursday, President Vaclav Klaus said that he would not accept Mr. Paroubek's resignation for fear that it would create political instability. Mr. Paroubek has thus decided to wait, saying that there is no need for what he called "theatrical gestures."
Coalition to propose joint candidate to lead lower house
Civic Democratic Chairman, Mirek Topolanek, says that his party will no longer push for its own candidate to be elected chair of the lower house. Last Thursday, Civic Democratic candidate Miroslava Nemcova failed to gain enough support for the post in a secret ballot. The results of the vote cast doubt upon the three-party coalition between the Civic Democrats, the Christian Democrats and the Greens, because not even all of the coalition MPs voted for Ms. Nemcova. Now Mr. Topolanek says that the coalition will propose a joint candidate—that person is expected to come from the ranks of either the Christian Democrats or the Greens. MPs will attempt to elect a new chair of the lower house on Friday.
Paroubek says new road regulations too strict
At Monday's meeting of the Social Democratic cabinet, Jiri Paroubek said that he thinks the new law on road regulations, which came into effect on July 1st, is too strict. Reports say that Social Democratic MPs have varying opinions on the new law. Over the weekend, Mr. Paroubek indicated that he is considering a temporary amnesty for drivers found guilty of infractions under the new code. Mr. Paroubek says that possible changes to the law will be considered after next week, when the Ministry of Transportation and the Interior Ministry are due to release a joint evaluation of the new law.
All-Sokol meeting in Prague
The Sokol /or Falcon/ athletics body -a physical exercise organization founded in 1862 during the Czech national revival - is holding its 14th all-Sokol meeting at Prague's Strahov stadium this week. Some 18 thousand gymnasts of all ages from all over the world are taking part. The Sokol athletics body is one of the oldest organizations in the world. Its modern era began with its revival after the fall of communism, but even during the dark period of Czech history ex-pats around the world kept its spirit alive. The all-Sokol meeting takes place once in six years.
Nicole Vaidisova knocked-out of Wimbledon
Czech tennis star Nicole Vaidisova has ended her run at Wimbledon before reaching the quarter finals. The women's number ten seed and semi finalist at the French Open lost to China's Li Na on the grass courts on Monday. After a good start for Vaidisova in the first set, the match ended 6:4, 1:6, 3:6.
In men's action, Radek Stepanek has advanced to the quarter finals for the first time in his career, with a victory over Spain's Fernando Verdasco. The verdict after five sets was 6:7, 6:3, 4:6, 6:4, and 6:2. Stepanek will meet Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden in the quarter final.
Meanwhile, Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic was beaten by Roger Federer, 6:3, 6:3, 6:4.
Weather:
Temperatures in the early part of the week are expected to stay just below 30 degrees Celsius, but by mid-week meteorologists are warning of higher temperatures. Sunny skies will accompany temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius by Wednesday.
