PM reveals he had prior knowledge of Klaus breakaway party plan

The Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek has revealed that he was aware of plans to create a Eurosceptic pro-Klaus splinter party even before the February presidential elections. The comments were made during a television interview, in which the PM added that despite this information, he remained loyal to the president and did everything in his power to secure Mr Klaus’ re-election. Commenting on the plans to create Libertas’cz, based on the Irish lobby group, Mr Topolánek stated that he believed that the Civic Democrats will be able to continue as a strong and unified party. In separate comments, the Czech PM conceded that efforts by the government to ratify the Lisbon Treaty by the end of the year will be difficult.