Top Christian Democrat rejects conditions for return to cabinet

Jiří Čunek, the leader of the Czech Christian Democratic party has rejected a proposed set of conditions laid down by the head of the governing Civic Democratic party Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek for his return to the cabinet. Mr Čunek described the conditions, which centre on Christian Democrat support of future government legislation and also a general loyalty to the coalition by the party as “humiliating.” Jíří Čunek was forced to leave the coalition cabinet following a series of bribery allegations, although he still remains party leader. Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek has described the conditions as an effort to ensure the future viability of the current coalition, something many analysts believe is threatened by the return of Mr Čunek to the cabinet.