Czech Deputy Prime Minister Radek John, chairman of the junior coalition Public Affairs (VV), is leaving the government because he does not feel enough support to the fight against corruption for which he is responsible in the government, he said today.
"The situation has been untenable for me," John said.
Public Affairs insists on a government reshuffle and wants the leaders of the three coalition parties to meet as soon as possible, he said.
John criticised the government, including also the Civic Democrats (ODS) and TOP 09, for not discussing the planned reforms and the promised personnel changes based on the presumption of guilt.
John said he would ask Prime Minister Petr Necas (ODS) to hand his resignation to President Vaclav Klaus.
Necas and John clashed over the lineup of John´s newly formed anti-corruption team, especially over former deputy interior minister Michal Moroz, in the past few days. They had talks on Tuesday again but failed to reach an agreement on this issue.
John said he wanted his anti-corruption team to be independent.
The government recently decided that John´s anti-corruption team would be a part of the Government Office, which is headed by Necas. This enables Necas to make decisions on the team´s lineup.
John was replaced as interior minister by Jan Kubice (unaffiliated) three weeks ago after a government crisis triggered by bribing accusation filed against Vit Barta (VV) who resigned as transport minister as a result.
Following Barta´s resignation, the VV said they want other ministers to leave the cabinet, too, namely Alexandr Vondra (ODS, defence), Ivan Fuksa (ODS, agriculture) and Miroslav Kalousek (TOP 09, finance).