Czech government pushes through reform programme

Nov 7, 2011, 11:16 GMT

Prague - Czech conservative Prime Minister Petr Necas was able to push through a savings and reform programme through parliament despite an opposition blockade early Monday.

The lower house of parliament overnight voted down a veto by the Social Democratic controlled Senate against 14 spending cuts by the centre-right government.

Social benefits such as aid to parents with children and unemployment benefits are to be lowered as of next year. Czechs will also have to make added contributions to the health services. In addition, the value added tax will rise from 10 to 14 per cent.

Social Democrats and communists in the parliament used filibusters to delay the final vote on the measures but were unable to prevent it. The head of Social Democrats, Bohuslav Sobotka, defended the obstruction tactics as a protest against the unjust burden added to middle- and lower-income groups.

Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg in a press conference admitted that the some of the laws demanded sacrifices from the citizens, saying: 'Like bitter medicine, they are necessary, but unpleasant.'

The signing of the laws into effect by President Vaclav Klaus is considered assured.