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Consumer price inflation in June was 1.2 percent compared with the same month a year earlier, according to the Czech Statistical Office. That level is unchanged from the rate in May but around twice the inflation rate of the first few months of the year. The main factors pushing prices up were the higher cost of food, drink and recreation. But clothes and shoe prices fell. Experts expect the trend of rising prices to continue but not exceed the central bank’s guidelines.

Police on Monday highlighted the high accident figures since the start of the summer holidays on Czech roads. They said that 75 people had been killed since June 25 with the last two weeks being the worst period over the last two years. Most of the fatalities have been car drivers. Police say they have stepped up road checks with an extra 1,000 police put on duty over the recent weekend. But they say they are powerless to improve sometimes rash and reckless behaviour. Accident figures had been falling since the start of the year.

The head of the Public Affairs party Radek John said on Sunday that an internet referendum of party members on the three-way coalition agreement was proceeding without hitches. Voting on the programme for a centre-right government together with the Civic Democrats and TOP 09 was postponed on Friday following a technical problem with the server. It was resumed on Saturday. Mr. John said that a flash survey of the membership indicated that more than 10 percent had voted. That was the threshold set for the referendum to be valid. The referendum, in which around 17,000 members can take part, should end at 10 am on Monday with the results known the same day. All three parties should give their final verdict on the coalition agreement by the end of Monday.

Incoming interior minister Radek John said on Sunday that he could sack the country’s top policeman. Mr. John, the head of the Public Affairs party, said that the president of the police presidium, Oldřich Martinů, could be dismissed, adding this would be a logical step. He has said that one of the problems he had with the police was its inability to save money. He added that there were more police per head of population in the Czech Republic than anywhere else in Europe but they were not visible on the street. Mr. John said he would prepare a thorough reform once he arrived in office and this would include changes in personnel. Mr. Martinů has been in the top post for the last three years.