Coalition MPs block lower house session - Social Democrats initiate no confidence vote

Ruling coalition MPs blocked an extraordinary lower house session on Friday morning which was to discuss the case of deputy Prime Minister and Christian Democrat chairman Jiri Cunek. As a result, the opposition Social Democrats have initiated a vote of no confidence on Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek's government to be held next Wednesday. Deputy Prime Minister Jiri Cunek has been under investigation for several months now over allegations he accepted a bribe of five hundred thousand crowns when he was mayor of the Moravian town of Vsetin. The Social Democrats first considered holding a vote of no confidence last week when the prosecutor in Mr Cunek's case was replaced. The opposition accused the government of trying to manipulate proceedings.