Tlusty turns down chance to be next Czech Euro commissioner

A former finance minister, Vlastimil Tlusty, turned down the opportunity to become the Czech Republic's next European commissioner. He told the daily Pravo he had been offered the post by Prime Minister and Civic Democrats chief Mirek Topolanek. But Mr Tlusty said he would not accept any post that would entail giving up his seat in the lower house. Mr Topolanek left Mr Tlusty out of his cabinet despite the latter's long experience as shadow finance minister. The mandate of the current Czech Euro commissioner, Vladimir Spidla, expires in 2009.