Jiří Oliva elected vice-chairman of the Chamber of Deputies

Prague, Sept 5 (CTK) - Jiri Oliva (TOP 09), the only candidate, was elected new deputy chairman of the Czech Chamber of Deputies in a secret ballot yesterday, replacing Vlasta Parkanova, also TOP 09.

In July, former defence minister Parkanova resigned due to her criminal prosecution over the purchase of military aircraft CASA at the time when she was defence minister.

At the beginning of its current term, the lower house decided that it would have three deputy chairpersons.

Until Oliva's election yesterday, it only had one, Lubomir Zaoralek (opposition Social Democrats, CSSD).

Katerina Klasnova, head of the deputies' group of the Public Affairs (VV), gave up the post as the party went into opposition in the spring.

Oliva was supported by 131 out of the 180 deputies present.

Representatives of the group TOP 09 and Mayors are of the view that Parkanova will be exonerated.

Then they are prepared to reinstate her. Oliva is ready to step down in such a case.

A trained forestry engineer, Oliva, 60, is now a member of the Chamber of Deputies agriculture and environment committees.