Special session on judiciary blocked

A special session planned in the lower house on Friday was blocked by a majority of MPs. The opposition Social Democrats and Communist Party were aiming to debate the state of the Czech judiciary in connection with steps taken by officials including the supreme state attorney in a high profile corruption case. Most members of the ruling coalition were against, arguing such a session would interfere with the judiciary’s independence. The vote came up short seeing support from 98 out of 199 deputies present. Two coalition MPs - Věra Jakubková and Olga Zubová of the Green Party – did vote in favour.