Czech party ends cabinet boycott in personnel appointment row

Aug 30, 2011, 9:47 GMT

Prague - A major government crisis in the Czech Republic was resolved Tuesday when Education Minister Josef Dobes said he was bowing to demands over the appointment of a controversial staff member.

Dobes, amid strong criticism from Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg over the appointment of Ladislav Batora as head of personnel in the ministry, told Czech radio he was removing Batora from the position.

After the remarks, Schwarzenberg's junior ruling party, the TOP 09, said it would now return to the government table in the Prague coalition which also includes Dobes's party, Civic Affairs (VV) and the senior party, the Civic Democrats (ODS).

Batora is to be offered another, newly created position at the Education Ministry.

Batora had come under heavy criticism for his ultra-conservative and nationalist views. Schwarzenberg, who reportedly had been personally attacked by Batora in a Facebook remark, had threatened to boycott the cabinet unless Batora was removed.

The foreign minister stressed that human rights and the 'fight against fascist tendencies' are the guidelines of his political life.