Radar treaties withdrawn by government

The Czech government on Tuesday temporarily withdrew two treaties on hosting a US missile defense radar from the lower house for fear that they could be rejected. The opposition Social Democrats were planning to force a vote on the treaties on Wednesday taking advantage of the absence of several coalition deputies. The decision highlighted the fragility of the centre-right government ahead of a vote of no-confidence next Tuesday. The vote was called by the main opposition party after it emerged that the ruling party had attempted to prevent Czech TV from broadcasting a report that would have discredited an independent MP who has been supportive of the ruling coalition.