President Zeman threatens veto of civil service reform compromise

President Miloš Zeman may decide to veto the current compromise version of civil service reform if it reaches his desk, according to Castle spokesperson Jiří Ovčáček. In an effort to win broad parliamentary support, including the backing of the opposition ODS and Top 09 parties, the coalition agreed last week to alter certain provisions of the draft law, designed to remove political influence in the state bureaucracy. Critics have said that the compromise, which removes a controversial independent civil service directorate chief, weakens the reform package. However, in comments reported by ČTK Saturday, the president stated that he believes that MPs will "see reason" and further amend the proposals.