Social Democrats against reopening debate on fiscal reforms

Social Democrat leader Jiri Paroubek has revealed that his party will not back reopening debate on the government's planned fiscal reforms ahead of a third reading in the lower house. Mr Paroubek made the statement on Friday in reaction to criticism by "rebel" Civic Democrat MP Vlastimil Tlusty, who has raised new demands for changes to the reform package. He is one of three ruling party MPs threatening to vote against the reforms if further changes are not implemented. The Social Democrats - the country's largest opposition party - originally tried to have voting on the reform package postponed until late September. But on Friday, the party's leader Jiri Paroubek said the government should "reap what it has sown".