Pressure grows on Deputy Prime Minister Jiri Cunek to resign

Coalition leaders are to meet later today to decide the fate of Deputy Prime Minister and Christian Democrat chairman Jiri Cunek who is charged with corruption. The case has dragged on for weeks now and despite growing pressure on him to resign Mr. Cunek has refused to do so. Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said on Monday that Mr. Cunek's continued presence in government was untenable and that the door would be open for him to return if he was able to clear his name. The Green Party has also indicated that Jiri Cunek's presence in the cabinet is unwelcome. The Christian Democratic Party leadership, which has stood by its chairman throughout the crisis, said on Tuesday it would leave the decision in Mr. Cunek's hands. Mr Cunek is accused of taking a bribe when he was mayor of the town of Vsetin five years ago.