DISMISSED The government dismissed Svatopluk Karásek from the post of Government Human Rights Commissioner Sept. 20 and appointed his former deputy and Civic Democratic Party (ODS) member Jan Litomiský as his replacement. Karásek, who is a member of the Freedom Union Party, said he was surprised to be dismissed by a government that doesn’t even have a mandate yet.

POLL More than 60 percent of Czechs would like a new election for the Chamber of Deputies to be held as soon as possible, according to a survey by the STEM/MARK polling agency. A new election has the most support among ODS voters.

WIRETAP State Attorney Renata Vesecká said Sept. 24 that Interior Minister Ivan Langer’s claims of widespread government wiretapping involving as many as 20 politicians and journalists are false. Langer also alleged that journalists were on the last government’s payroll. Vesecká said she would only reveal more information once her investigation is over.

BIRTHS For the first time in 13 years, the national birthrate outpaced deaths during the first half of 2006, the Czech Statistical Office announced Sept. 25. Officials say the offspring of the Baby Boom generation, who are now reaching childbearing age, are responsible for the increase in births.

REJECTED A Prague court threw out what is believed to be the first case of gender discrimination in the Czech labor market Sept. 25. Marie âau‰eviă, 51, had accused the PraĎská teplárenská heating utility company of passing her over for a management position because she is a woman. She has appealed the court’s decision.

TAXES The government is expected to begin discussions this week for the introduction of a single income tax rate for individuals and businesses. Also on the table are benefits for families with children and low-income individuals, as well as a one-year tax break for the self-employed.

DROPPED A descendant of an Austrian noble family has dropped his 15-year-long restitution claim for the SlatiŔany estate in east Bohemia. Local Mayor Ivan Jeník said Mathias Trauttmansdorff-Weinsberg dropped the claim because of failing health. The estate includes a Renaissance chateau on 5,000 hectares (12,355 acres) of land.