MfD: Klaus' vetoes undermine gov't

Prague, Sept 19 (CTK) - Czech President Vaclav Klaus is often vetoing the legislation proposed by the government, thus forcing Prime Minister Petr Necas's weakened government to look for more votes for it, daily Mlada fronta Dnes (MfD) writes yesterday.

One bill is pitiless, another harmful, the third illogical, this is how Klaus argues when refusing to sign them, it adds.

Necas may soon find that he is unable to do the most important thing, to have the legislation passed by the Chamber of Deputies, MfD writes.

At the moment in which Necas is being attacked by rebels from his Civic Democratic Party (ODS), Klaus is contributing to the attack, too, by returning one bill after another, it adds.

Six ODS deputies have refused to vote for an increase in VAT and other taxes, as proposed by the Necas government in order to curb the deficit.

Necas has linked the tax package with further existence of his government. Now he is doing his most to win back the rebels, MfD writes.

Klaus is shooting at the government at the least auspicious moment for Necas.

Over the past month, Klaus has rejected three bills. To override his veto, Necas will need 101 votes in the Chamber of Deputies, but it is increasingly difficult for him to do so, MfD writes.

A total of 108 deputies voted for the amendment to the children's legal protection law, but Klaus returned it, calling it "pitiless and cruel," it adds.

His arguments swayed some deputies who had supported the legislation, MfD writes.

It will be even more difficult to have the law on energy labels passed as Klaus has called it the worst and most harmful bill he has ever seen, it adds.

In the Chamber of Deputies, it was only passed by 93 deputies.

"I was rather surprised, but this is a presidential right. He evidently wants to complicate the government's life," ODS presidential candidate Premysl Sobotka is quoted as saying.

Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, leader of TOP 09, a government coalition partner of the ODS, has also noticed Klaus's anti-Necas effort, MfD writes.

"I think that unlike the previous time, Klaus no longer respects Necas so much. The prime minister has lost his favour," it adds.

Klaus has reservations about the debated return of property to churches and he sharply criticises the government tax legislation package, MfD writes.

He is thus giving strength to the six ODS rebels who can now topple the Necas government, it adds.

"This is highly reminiscent of the scenario I have experienced under the government of Mirek Topolanek (ODS) in 2009," Schwarzenberg said.

"At that time, Klaus, too, was threatening and had some deputies who are under his strong influence. It is a desperate scene," he added.

While Klaus is insisting on his cause, Necas remains loyal, MfD writes.

"The constitution gives this power to the president and he is using it," Necas told the paper about Klaus's veto.

The view that Klaus wants to increase his influence on the government and the ODS is gaining ground in the ODS, MfD writes.

He does not consider Necas his ally, it adds.

When rejecting the legislation, Klaus always presents very concise arguments. Some bills really have many defects, MfD writes.

However, with his vetoes, Klaus is escalating the most serious crisis that has affected Necas during his two-year tenure, it adds.