Czech caretaker government hits cultural obstacle

The creation of the Czech caretaker government has hit a last minute hitch with a dispute over whose nominee should fill the post of Minister of Culture. The post was originally earmarked for the Christian Democrats but with the party not nominating candidates for the government of experts a battle has erupted over who should fill the post. From the outgoing centre-right coalition, the Civic Democrats and Greens have put forward candidates as has the left wing Social Democrats. Prime Minister designate, Jan Fischer, Thursday rejected a call from the Greens that he convene a meeting of party leaders to thrash out the issue. Meanwhile, Mr Fischer’s target to name his ministerial line-up by the end of the week appears in peril.