Pavel signs controversial pensions bill

President Petr Pavel signed the controversial government pensions bill into law on Thursday morning. Under the new bill, the increase in pensions in June will be less than half of what it normally is, with the average monthly pension increasing by CZK 760 instead of the expected CZK 1770.

The government says the reduction is necessary in light of the huge public finance deficit, with the pensions bill saving the state CZK 19.4 billion this year alone, while the opposition criticises it as unconstitutional and hurting some of society's most vulnerable people.

Announcing his decision to journalists on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Pavel said supporting the bill had not been an easy decision.