Second Civic Democrat leaves deputies group over corruption scandal

A second Civic Democrat deputy has left the ruling party’s deputies group over its handling of a blackmail and entrapment scandal involving a close associate, Vlastimil Tlustý. Jan Schwippel announced his decision on Wednesday, just two days after Juraj Raninec left the deputies group. Both men are calling for a proper investigation of the corruption scandal that has tarred the image of the largest party in government. They have made it clear though that they would continue to vote with the government, which now has 98 seats in the 200-seat lower chamber.