Rebel MP Tlusty starts own faction in Civic Democrats

A rebel Civic Democrat MP, Vlastimil Tlusty, has founded his own ten-member faction within the party's deputies' group. He said he did not want to split the Civic Democrats but rather to support the party's original principles. Mr Tlusty was passed over for the job of finance minister and opposes a government tax and welfare reform bill. If he goes through with a threat to vote against it the government could fall - Prime Minister Topolanek has promised to seek early elections if the package of reforms fails.