Czech PM says he will discuss Cunek with govt coalition partners

Czech PM Mirek Toplanek (Civic Democrats, ODS) said today he will discuss the future of deputy PM and Local Development Minister Jiri Cunek (Christian Democrats, KDU-CSL) with representatives of the two junior government parties, the KDU-CSL and Greens.

"I will hold discussion with the Green Party as well as with eh the KDU-CSL," he said, adding that this reply is exhausting and that he can see no reason to communicate anything else.

He did not confirm either that the three coalition meetings are to meet soon. "I know about no coalition meeting," Topolanek said.

It was rumoured that the three leaders might meet today to discuss Cunek.

At the time the press conference after the government session was being held, Romanies and Romany activities were demonstrating outside the government seat, calling for Cuenk’s dismissal.

The protests were prompted by Cunek’s statements about "sunburnt people who make mess and fires in squares."

Cunek and Dzamila Stehlikova (Green Party), who is in charge of minorities, shortly met the demonstrators.

"Jiri Cunek has shown a certain courage when he joined the demonstrators and had a discussion with them," Topolanek said.

He said that Cunek’s criticised statements have been misinterpreted.

Cunek, when he was mayor of Vsetin, north Moravia, also had Romany rent-defaulters moved from a dilapidated house to a container-like house on the edge of the town and elsewhere in Moravia.

Besides he has been accused of corruption, which he, however, dismisses.