Health Minister Arenberger resigns over suspicion of tax evasion

Health Minister Petr Arenberger has resigned from office in response to mounting pressure over irregularities in his tax returns. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš broke the news in Brussels where he is attending an EU summit.

In recent days Czech media have reported that Arenberger had declared significantly more assets and a higher income after joining the government than in previous years.

The health minister, who has rejected accusations of tax evasion, said his only fault had been a number of inaccuracies in his tax returns, which he had explained. He said he was resigning because of the brutal media pressure against him and his family.

Mr. Babiš said Arenberger would be replaced by one of his predecessors in office, former health minister Adam Vojtěch.

Prague Castle has since announced that Adam Vojtěch will be appointed health minister on Wednesday.