Government to replace ambassador to EU

The Czech ambassador to the European Union Jan Kohout will be replaced before his term ends in May next year, Lidove noviny reported. The government wants to find a new ambassador to Brussels for the important period before the Czech Republic assumes the rotating presidency of the EU in the first half of 2009, the daily said. It is not yet clear who will succeed Mr Kohout in the post.

The opposition Social Democrats have spoken out against the move, accusing the government of conducting a 'political purge'.