PM Mirek Topolanek met with reform critics

Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek met on Friday with the deputies and tax experts from his own party, the Civic Democrats, who criticize the fiscal reform package proposed by Mr Topolanek's government. The MPs, including former finance minister Vlastimil Tlusty, have criticized the fact that overall tax burden in 2009 should be in fact higher than the year before. The reform package was approved by the Lower House in the second reading on Wednesday while the only coalition MP to vote against it was Ludvik Hovorka of the Christian Democrats. Vlastimil Tlusty said after the meeting that all critics declared their willingness to vote for the reform if their objections are taken into account.