Poděbrady mayor leaving party ranks amid scandal

Poděbrady mayor Jaroslav Červinka from the Mayors and Independents party is leaving party ranks and will not run for the party in the autumn local elections. Červinka announced the decision shortly after party leader Vít Rakušan said he would be crossed off the party’s ticket if he did not withdraw his candidacy of his own accord. The ruling coalition party is distancing itself from the mayor, after it emerged that he had said the Roma should be shot several years ago. Jaroslav Červinka has not ruled out that he will run in the elections as an independent candidate.