Czech National Party may be dissolved - Interior Minister

The National Party (NS) may be dissolved in the future, Czech Interior Minister Ivan Langer (the Civic Democratic Party, ODS) told the public broadcaster Czech Television today.

"At the moment I am firmly convinced that the last straw broke the camel's back, the relevant legal steps toward its existence will be taken," Langer said.

Langer said NS members moved "cunningly" on the brink of law.

"They know very well what they can do and what not, where the limits are and they are very cautious," Langer said.

Langer reacted to the attacks by about 150 activists of the NS and further far-right groupings on a large march of gays in Brno on Saturday.

Some of the militants threw crackers and tear gas at the participants in the march.

The police have arrested 15 of them and brought breach of the peace charges against two of them.

Preaching "law and order," NS followers have adopted an aggressive stand against foreigners and Romanies. The party has established the para-military National Guard.