MPs call on Nečas to dismiss Vondra over Promopro

Prague, June 16 (CTK) - The Czech lower house yesterday called, by votes of the leftist opposition, on Prime Minister Petr Necas to initiate Alexandr Vondra's (both Civic Democrats, ODS) dismissal as defence minister over the case of the allegedly overpriced public order for the Promopro firm, dating back to early 2009.

Deputies from the three government parties, including Necas's ODS, did not take part in the vote.

The appeal is not binding on Necas.

The junior opposition Communists (KSCM) unsuccessfully proposed that the lower house call on Necas to resign along with his cabinet.

The special session on Promopro, provoked by the opposition, mainly included the opposition KSCM and Social Democrat (CSSD) deputies' speeches critical of Necas and Vondra, ODS deputy chairman who is said to be Necas's close ally.

Earlier this spring, the Finance Ministry headed by Miroslav Kalousek (TOP 09) found out that it is not clear what the state received in exchange for about a half of the 550 million crowns it paid to the Promopro firm for its audiovisual services during the Czech EU presidency in the first half of 2009, when Vondra was deputy PM in charge of European affairs.

In an opening speech in the lower house yesterday, Vondra said he cannot see any fatal failure linked to the organisation of the Czech EU presidency, although partial shortcomings can naturally be found.

"I am sorry about the Czech successful presidency being challenged...partial shortcomings can always be found, of course. However, I do not know about any more fundamental mistake," Vondra said.

He said no one has as yet proved that the technical side of the Czech presidency was really overpriced.

Reacting to the Finance Ministry's suspicions, he said the police should investigate into "certain financial transactions between the order sub-suppliers that arouse justified questions."

Vondra repeated that the caretaker government of Jan Fischer approved the financial accounting of the EU presidency in the spring of last year.

"I do not shun political responsibility, but I categorically dismiss any claim about my participation in any intention to abuse public finances in connection with the EU presidency," Vondra said.

This irritated the CSSD deputies who claimed that the state lost hundreds of million crowns due to the overpriced orders. They called Vondra's speech arrogant and demanded his resignation.

The CSSD's previous attempt to have the Promopro case discussed fell through a few weeks ago as the coalition, which prevails in the lower house, voted against the case being put on the agenda.

This time, the junior ruling parties, TOP 09 and Public Affairs (VV), enabled the session to start by being absent from it.

Both TOP 09 and the VV demanded Vondra's departure previously.

The appeal on Necas to have Vondra sacked was yesterday supported by deputies for the CSSD, KSCM and by Kristyna Koci, one of the three former VV deputies who were expelled from the party amid its internal turbulences in April.

The KSCM-proposed appeal on Necas to resign was supported, apart from the KSCM, only by four CSSD deputies. The rest of the CSSD abstained from the vote, the coalition deputies voted against.

Kalousek would not comment on the Promopro case at the parliament session yesterday, citing a recent decision by the Office for Personal Data Protection (UOOU), and making references to the information he provided before.

The case has been investigated by the police.

($1=16.943 crowns)