News

Czech PM will try to persuade EU states to open their labour markets

The Czech government will try to persuade EU states to axe their limits on Czechs entering their labour markets as of next April, Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek said on Monday. The Prime Minister said the government would particularly target France, Italy and the Netherlands. Only three EU member states - Britain, Ireland and Sweden -opened their labour markets fully to the Czech Republic when it joined the block in May 2004. The Prime Minister said the limitations could create the undesirable impression that Czechs are second class EU members.

Svoboda on terrorist threat

The Czech Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda has said Europe must find a new balance between freedom and security in order to effectively fight terrorism. Speaking at a meeting of Czech ambassadors in Prague, Minister Svoboda said Europe must come to terms with the fact that it will be threatened by terrorism for an indefinite period of time and must take effective measures to fight against this threat. He said it was impossible to rely on rules that date back to a time when the world was threatened by different kinds of conflict. Following the attacks in London, the Czech Republic stepped up security at its airports, on the metro, railway lines, nuclear power facilities and around other high-risk buildings and institutions.

PM's aide sacked

The chief aide to Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek, Zdenek Dolezal has been fired over corruption allegations. His departure is linked to a meeting with a Polish lobbyist, Jacek Spira, over the privatization of the Czech oil company Unipetrol. A government spokeswoman, Lucie Orgonikova, said on Sunday night that there had been "a gross violation of work ethics" and "signs of corruption" by Dolezal in his role as public servant.

Pecina appointed head of Anti-Monopoly Office

President Vaclav Klaus has appointed Martin Pecina as head of the Czech Anti-Monopoly Office. Martin Pecina, a former deputy at the Trade and Industry ministry, replaces Josef Bednar who headed the Anti Monopoly Office for six years. Pecina starts work on Friday.

Krejcir acquitted in absentia

Billionaire Radovan Krejcir, who has been hiding from the police for two months now, was acquitted in absentia of the charges of fraud levelled against him. The judge acquitted him on the grounds of insufficient evidence but the state attorney says she is convinced Krejcir is guilty. She appealed the case immediately. Krejcir escaped in June during a police search of his luxury villa.

Weather:

Tuesday is expected to be a warm and sunny day with afternoon highs between 25 and 29 degrees Celsius.