Social Democrats slam coalition reform plans

The opposition Social Democrats have hit out at a package of reforms agreed on by the three-party governing coalition on Wednesday. Social Democrat leader Jiri Paroubek described the government's reform bill as unjust, unnecessary and confused, saying Czech voters would end up paying for it.

The reform package approved by the Civic Democrats, the Christian Democrats and the Greens envisages significant changes in tax and social welfare, as well as new fees in the health care system. It is due to go before the Chamber of Deputies in June.

On Thursday Mr Paroubek made a fresh call for Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek to face him in a live TV debate programme on Czech Television. In a letter, the Social Democrats chief challenged the prime minister to "be a guy for once".