Leading government parties seek to cut restitution bill

Social Democrat and ANO party negotiators said on Wednesday that they are seeking to reduce the restitution bill for non-returned church property by around 13 billion crowns. The Czech government and religious organisations previously agreed on total payments of 59 billion crowns spread over 30 years as compensation property taken by the former communist regime which will not be handed back. The party negotiators are also seeking changes in the inflation linking of the payments. Church groups are due to get back around 75 billion crowns worth of land and property. The two parties say the deal with the former centre-right government should be revised. Separately, prime minister Bohuslav Sobotka said he wanted a special committee in the government offices to follow the restitution process.

Author: Chris Johnstone