President Klaus asks MPs to restrict Constitutional Court powers

In his first address to the lower house of Parliament in seven years, Czech President Václav Klaus asked MPs to restrict the powers of the Constitutional Court. In his 17-minute speech, Mr Klaus said, among other things, that the court should not be allowed to function as a third chamber of Parliament, as it did, according to the president, in the autumn of last year. The Constitutional Court then abolished a general election, arguing that it was called in breach of the Constitution. President Klaus also told deputies that if the ruling centre-right coalition remains cohesive, the country has a unique opportunity to carry out far-reaching reforms.