Zeman praises VV's complaint against church restitution

Prague, Feb 7 (CTK) - Czech president-elect Milos Zeman appreciated the opposition Public Affairs (VV) for having filed a constitutional complaint against the church property restitution, VV deputy chairwoman Katerina Klasnova said after a meeting with Zeman Thursday.

Zeman has a similarly reserved stance as the VV on the law on return of the churches' property confiscated by the communist regime, she added.

Klasnova and Zeman also agreed that the powers of the Supreme Audit Office (NKU) should be extended. Zeman expressed regret at the left-dominated Senate rejecting the respective bill, Klasnova said.

The VV party helped prepare the church restitution legislation when it was part of the government coalition with the Civic Democrats (ODS) and TOP 09. However, after it went to the opposition last spring VV politicians started to sharply criticise the proposed state-churches property settlement.

Under the law, which the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of parliament, definitively passed last November, churches are to be returned land and real estate worth 75 billion and given 59 billion crowns in financial compensation for unreturned property during the following 30 years. The largest sum, 47 billion crowns, would go to the Roman Catholic Church.

The state is to gradually cease financing the churches. The transitional period is to last 17 years.

VV deputy group head Klasnova also debated the government of Petr Necas (ODS chairman) with Zeman.

Klasnova brought small presents to Zeman - a bottle of pear brandy and a badge aimed against TOP 09 deputy head and Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek. The VV members were wearing it ahead of the direct presidential election in January to point to Kalousek's influence on Zeman's rival candidate, TOP 09 leader and Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg.

Zeman, honorary chairman of the Party of Citizens' Rights of Milos Zeman (SPOZ), is meeting leaders of the parties in parliament this week.

On Wednesday he received opposition Social Democrat (CSSD) chairman Sobotka. He also separately met the CSSD deputy chairpersons, Marie Benesova, Zdenek Skromach and Michal Hasek, who are considered Zeman's supporters in the CSSD.

On Tuesday Zeman met Necas.

Later Thursday, Zeman talked to Communist (KSCM) chairman Vojtech Filip.

Zeman's meeting with Schwarzenberg, the first after the presidential duel, is scheduled for Friday.

Zeman refused to meet representatives of the smallest government party LIDEM (Liberal Democrats) that was formed by dissidents from the VV last spring.

Zeman said previously he considered the Liberal Democrats' participation in the government a reason for early elections.