News

According to legal expertise commissioned at the last minute by the region of Central Bohemia, the region did not suffer damages in connection with alleged corruption by former Social Democrat governor David Rath, whose trial begins next week. The news was reported by public broadcaster Czech TV. Just half a year ago, officials had maintained the region had been negatively impacted. The state prosecutor maintains there is enough evidence of Mr Rath’s criminal activities as is. The former governor (also a former health minister) was arrested in May of 2012 with 7 million crowns – a suspected bribe – on his person. He has been in custody since. His trial begins on August 7.

One of the Czech Republic’s most-highly respected film festivals – the Summer Film School in Uherské Hradiště – wrapped up on Saturday. The 39th inception saw 228 films screened in eight theatres; 184 of them were feature-length productions. Notable guests this year included actor and director Jan Kačer, Czech acting legend Pavel Landovský, Serbian director Goran Paskaljevič and others. The Summer Film School is famous for lectures, workshops and an open forum for debate with artists and industry professionals.

Interim Prime Minister Jiří Rusnok has told the news site aktualne.cz that his government could continue to rule for several months even if it fails to find support in next Wednesday’s confidence vote. The economist referred to the Constitution as well as the rule of a previous government under similar circumstances. The Chamber of Deputies is to hold the vote on the future of the cabinet beginning 10 AM on Wednesday. Only two parties in the chamber have expressed support, the Communists and Public Affairs; the opposition Social Democrats remain divided over the issue.

If the former centre-right coalition can shore-up a 101-majority as claimed, there is no chance Mr Rusnok’s government would be able to pass. The prime minister, a close associate of President Zeman’s, will visit deputies’ clubs to try and boost support. According to one report, he will not receive an invitation from the Civic Democrats, who oppose the current government as an attempt to bypass Parliament as well as the country’s constitution.

The Office of the Government on Friday released records of the salaries of its civil servants and top officials beginning in 2010, reversing a previous decision for them to remain private. Interest in the salaries was heightened by a corruption and spying scandal which led to the fall of the previous administration. According to the information released, the former head of the office, Lubomír Poul earned 1.17 million crowns a year plus bonuses, while Jana Nagyová, the former chief-of-staff charged in the scandal who was romantically linked to ex-prime minister Petr Nečas, earned almost one million crowns from 2011-2012 plus an additional two million in bonuses over two years. Critics charge that the height of the salaries was inappropriate for a cabinet that billed austerity as its main focus.