Paroubeks to divorce
Former prime minister and current head of the Social Democratic Party Jiri Paroubek has confirmed that he and his wife Zuzana Paroubkova have agreed to divorce. The couple has been married since 1979. Mr Paroubek and his wife sent a statement to the CTK news agency on Sunday, saying they had reached the decision several months ago. The Paroubeks indicated their agreement was an amicable one, saying they had agreed on the division of property. In his statement, Jiri Paroubek also revealed that Petra Kovacova - a former English-language interpreter at the Office of the Government - had become his new girlfriend. Ms Kovacova had been spotted several times by Mr Paroubek's side at recent events. The politician's announcement on Sunday followed earlier speculation in the Czech tabloids. Blesk, for example, reported on Mr Paroubek's alleged extramarital affair earlier in the week.