Cunek to be dismissed only if Czech coalition does not break down

Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek will only be willing to dismiss Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Christian Democrat leader Jiri Cunek if the step does not threaten the coalition, Topolanek told the public broadcaster Czech Television (CT) today.

If there is no agreement with the Christian Democrats, it will be nonsense to dismiss Cunek, Topolanek said.

"I will not take any step that would destroy the coalition at the moment," Topolanek said.

On the other hand, "the time when Cunek should leave the government has come," he added.

Topolanek said that he wanted to meet Cunek soon and offer him an honorable departure from the government and possibly a return if Cunek is cleared of the corruption suspicions.

Cunek today refused to say whether he would obey the calls to leave the government.

He said that he would wait for the discussion with Topolanek and Deputy Prime Minister Martin Bursik (Greens).

"I will certainly wait with my position for the meeting," Cunek said.

On Saturday, the Greens national council passed a resolution demanding Cunek’s resignation or dismissal. The Greens want to discuss the issue at the meeting of governing parties.

Bursik told the commercial television station Prima today that it was not possible in a normal civilised European country to have a government with a man who was accused of a criminal act.

Bursik said that Cunek should leave politics and only return after he were cleared of the accusations.

Cunek has been accused of having taken a half-million-crowns bribe in 2002 when he was the mayor of Vsetin, North Moravia. He pleads innocent and he has refused to step down from the government posts.

He is also facing mounting criticism that his rhetoric about Romanies was racist.