PM rejects suggestion he could become European commissioner

The caretaker prime minister of the Czech Republic, Jan Fischer, has rejected the idea that he could become the country’s next European commissioner. The news website idnes.cz reported that the two biggest parties the Social Democrats and the Civic Democrats were in favour of putting Mr Fischer forward for the post. However, in a statement issued on Saturday he said he and his government had taken on the responsibility of leading the country until elections next year and he would not give up that responsibility overnight. The prime minister said he hoped the political parties could agree on a candidate; if not, the interim government is expected to select a nominee at the start of next week.