PM to hand labour minister's resignation to Klaus

Prague, Oct 30 (CTK) - Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas (Civic Democrats) will hand the resignation of Labour and Social Affairs Minister Jaromir Drabek (TOP 09) to President Vaclav Klaus on Wednesday, Presidential Office announced on its website www.hrad.cz yesterday.

Speculations emerged saying former senator Ludmila Muellerova (TOP 09), might replace Drabek.

Drabek recently announced that he would resign as from the end of October in reaction to the scandal of his former first deputy Vladimir Siska who is prosecuted on suspicion of bribery.

TOP 09 chairman and Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg confirmed that he had chosen Muellerova as Drabek's successor.

The TOP 09 executive committee supported his decision.

The social sector is in a very complicated situation, said Muellerova, who is Drabek's aide. She added that she would like to continue implementing changes.

Necas is to decide whether he will accept Muellerova in the post.

Muellerova worked as a deputy social affairs minister ten years ago. Then she was elected to the Senate and after she left it she worked as Drabek's adviser.

The opposition Social Democrats (CSSD) have sharply criticised the plan to nominate Muellerova as a new minister.