Social Democrats against scrapping environment, culture ministries

The opposition Social Democrats are against the idea of scrapping the ministries of culture and environment, now being discussed by the coalition within broader cost-cutting measures. Party leader Bohuslav Sobotka said scrapping the environment ministry was particularly unacceptable in view of the urgent need to address serious air pollution problems in Moravia and Silesia. The junior coalition party Public Affairs which has linked its continued support for the government to a series of far-reaching demands, has proposed reducing the number of ministries as a partial alternative to cuts in the social sphere. The Civic Democrats and Public Affairs are now allegedly considering scrapping the ministries of culture, environment and local government. A decision is expected on Tuesday.