• PM says Cunek’s return to government is premature
    12/05/2007

    Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek has said it was premature to think about Christian Democrat leader Jiri Cunek’s return to government. He advised the Christian Democrats to consider an interim period during which time some other party nominee would head the Local Development Ministry. Mr. Cunek was forced to resign over corruption allegations five weeks ago but state prosecutors have since dropped criminal proceedings against him. His party leadership has now expressed support for his reinstatement.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Greens against Cunek’s return to government posts
    12/05/2007

    The prime minister’s cautious stand comes in the wake of strong protests from the Green Party, another of the three parties in the coalition government. Greens leader Martin Bursik said that Mr. Cunek’s return to government would be extremely unfortunate. Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg – a minister for the Green Party - said that enabling his return would amount to political suicide on the part of the government and even some Civic Democratic party members have advised caution.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Senate approves foreigners’ law
    12/05/2007

    The Senate has approved an amendment to the foreigners’ law that will make life harder for non EU foreigners seeking residence in the Czech Republic. According to the proposal non-EU foreigners who marry Czech citizens will no longer acquire a residence permit immediately but only after a period of two years. The amendment will also toughen conditions for asylum seekers. Interior Minister Ivan Langer says the tougher rules are necessary in view of the country joining the Schengen border free zone in two weeks time.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Strike alert in protest of extended work hours for doctors
    12/05/2007

    Trade unions in the health sector have declared a strike alert in protest of the Health Ministry’s plan to extend working hours for doctors. Union leader Jiri Sclanger says the move would worsen work conditions and deprive doctors of one fourth of their pay for overtime work. The union said it would take more resolute action if the ministry did not reverse its decision.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Talks on radar continue
    12/05/2007

    US intelligence information that Iran is not building a nuclear bomb is unlikely to influence plans to station a US radar base in the Czech Republic, Czech Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Vondra told Wednesday’s edition of Mlada Fronta Dnes. Prague and Washington are negotiating the possible stationing of a US tracking radar on the Brdy military site located 90 kilometers southwest of Prague. According to US negotiators the radar would be part of the US missile defense shield designed to protect the US and its allies against “rogue states”, notably Iran.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Foreign missions approved
    12/05/2007

    The lower house of Parliament on Wednesday approved the Czech military’s foreign missions for 2008. They include a marked reinforcement of troops in Afghanistan to which the opposition Social Democrats objected. The country will maintain its presence in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Record trade surplus in October
    12/05/2007

    The Czech Republic had a record October trade surplus of 8.6 billion crowns (482.6 million US dollars), the Czech Statistics Office announced on Wednesday. Exports rose to an all-time monthly high of 238.4 billion with imports at a record 229.8 billion. The positive trade balance was fuelled by a 14.4 percent jump in exports of machinery and transport equipment compared with October 2006, a surge in foreign sales of telecoms and sound recording equipment, and strong exports of electrical equipment.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Half country’s teachers and other school staff take part in one-day strike
    12/04/2007

    Around half the Czech Republic’s teachers and other school staff took part in a one-day strike on Tuesday in demand of increased funding. It affected pre-schools, elementary schools and secondary schools. Some schools were open, though teachers organised alternative programmes for pupils instead of normal classes. Unions are demanding that extra money be set aside for next year’s education budget to cover salaries and teaching aids.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Liska, 30, appointed minister of education
    12/04/2007

    Ondrej Liska of the Green Party has been named minister of education. Mr Liska, who is 30, replaces his party colleague Dana Kuchtova; she stepped down two months ago after failing to draw on the entire EU funding available to the Czech Republic. Appointing the new man on Tuesday, President Vaclav Klaus said the Education Ministry had been a rock on which several of Ondrej Liska’s predecessors had foundered, though he said his youth and élan would stand him in good stead. Last week the president expressed reservations about naming Mr Liska education minister due to his comparative youth.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Christian Democrats want Cunek back in cabinet following dropping of investigation
    12/04/2007

    The leadership of the Christian Democrats want the party’s chairman Jiri Cunek to return to the posts of deputy prime minister and minister for regional development. The party’s leaders on Tuesday voted to recommend that the Christian Democrats national committee nominate Mr Cunek for the positions. The controversial politician resigned after the reopening of an investigation into allegations that he received bribes during a spell as mayor of a town in Moravia; that investigation has now been dropped definitively. Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek has indicated he is willing to meet the wishes of the Christian Democrats and reinstate Jiri Cunek.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

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