Parkanova should ask MPs to release her for prosecution-Czech PM
03.07.2012 14:05
Prague - Czech PM Petr Necas (Civic Democrats, ODS) cannot imagine that the Chamber of Deputies would not release former defence minister Vlasta Parkanova (TOP 09) for prosecution in the current situation, and she should ask for it herself, Necas said in a TV debate today.
He, however, did not clearly say whether he would vote for stripping Parkanova, deputy head of Chamber of Deputies, of immunity to enable her prosecution or not.
The police want to prosecute Parkanova over the purchase of CASA planes for the military that was allegedly overpriced by 658 million crowns. The police say Parkanova did not have an expert opinion on the planes' price worked out.
Parkanova rejected Necas´s opinion that she should ask the Chamber of Deputies for stripping her of immunity. She said she would let the decision up to deputies.
"Nothing new occurred in the past days that would make me change my mind," she wrote CTK in an SMS.
Necas said in the Questions of Vaclav Moravec TV debate it would be the most sensible, logical and correct solution for the Czech Republic and TOP 09 if Parkanova asked for her release for prosecution herself.
It would become clear then whether something illegal was really committed or not, Necas added.
He at the same time admitted that the police steps in the Parkanova case may also provoke questions.
The Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of parliament, will decide on Parkanova's release for prosecution at its July session.
TOP 09 first deputy chairman and Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek is defending Parkanova. Both Parkanova and Kalousek claim she was no obliged to have an expert opinion worked out.
In reaction to Necas´s words today, Kalousek told CTK that it was no so substantial whether Parkanova would be released for prosecution or not but it should be investigated why apparent lies appeared in the police request for her release for prosecution submiteted to the Chamber of Deputies.
"From this point of view, it is not very interesting either how the prime minister will vote in this case," Kalousek said.
It surfaced last week that Kalousek had called the investigator of the Parkanova case. Media reported that Kalousek had even threatened the detective, telling him that he would end with the police.
Kalousek admits he called the investigator but he denies having threatened him.
The opposition Social Democrats (CSSD) demand Kalousek´s resignation over it.
Necas said Kalousek´s phone call to the detective was hardly acceptable and extremely unfortunate and that he would ask Kalousek for explanation.
CSSD chairman Bohuslav Sobotka said Necas had shown his weakness toward Kalousek and that Necas should dismiss him from the government.
The CSSD also says it would be logical if Parkanova asked for her release for prosecution.
Necas noted that he would first get acquainted with the stance of the ODS deputies from the lower house mandate and immunity committee before the vote on Parkanova, and only then he would make a decision.