Parliament split over redress for churches

Published on 15/07/2012 00:00

CZECH REPUBLIC: The lower house of parliament has approved a government plan to pay billions of dollars in compensation for property seized by the former Communist regime. Under the plan approved in a 93-89 vote, the country’s churches would get 56 per cent of their former property now held by the state – estimated at 75 billion koruna. They would also get 59 billion koruna in financial compensation paid to them over the next 30 years.

The restitution battle is set to continue. Parliament’s upper house, controlled by the left-wing opposition which strictly opposes the plan, is expected to veto it, but the right-wing coalition has enough votes in the lower house to override it.