Public Affairs leadership assesses developments

The top leadership of the Public Affairs party has been meeting in the wake of Friday’s court ruling, with some in the party acknowledging Mr Bárta’s decision to leave the party as correct but others saying he should also give up his mandate in the lower house, news website idnes said. Others, such as past deputy chairman Tomáš Jarolím, expressed the hope he would stay on as an MP. Mr Jarolím criticised the court decision, saying in his view, that Mr Bárta was being punished simply for trying to help fellow politicians. Until now, Barta was considered the de facto head of the Public Affairs party: questions remain about its direction not least after Prague branch leaders last week called on chairman Radek John to resign.

Author: Jan Velinger