President Zeman: New MPs could change property restitution deal

MPs elected in the upcoming early general election could change the controversial church property restitution deal, President Miloš Zeman has said. In his appearance in a Prima TV talk show on Sunday, the president suggested amendments to the respective legislation would be faster and more effective way of dealing with the issue, particularly with financial compensations earmarked for the churches, than holding a referendum, a move proposed by the Communists.

Under the deal, as approved by the lower house last year, Czech churches and religious groups are to get back property, confiscated by the communist regime, worth 75 billion crowns. They are also set to receive financial compensation of more than 60 billion crowns over the period of 30 years.