PM to dismiss Cunek only if ruling coalition is not threatened

Civic Democrat Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek is willing to dismiss Christian Democrat leader Jiri Cunek from his posts in government only if he has the backing of Mr Cunek's party. The Prime Minister reacted to Saturday's resolution passed by the Greens, who are in government with the Civic Democrats and the Christian Democrats, calling for Mr Cunek to either resign or be dismissed.

Minister Cunek is the only government member in the country's history to face criminal charges. Besides allegations of corruption, he also faces criticism for a number of controversial remarks he has made about the country's Roma community. In a Sunday TV discussion programme, Prime Minister Topolanek said although the time had come for Jiri Cunek to leave government, he did not want to take any action that could threaten the stability of the ruling coalition.