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The Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Michael Kocáb has resigned - meeting a request by the Green Party which no longer intends to support the country’s caretaker government. The Greens decided to withdraw from the cabinet entirely after its environment minister stepped down over what they see as ineffective modernisation plans by the ČEZ power utility for a controversial coal-powered plant.

In a desperate attempt to boost their chances in the upcoming elections, the centre-right Civic Democrats on Thursday replaced their election leader. In a heated five hour debate the party leadership forced former prime minister and party chair Mirek Topolánek to resign from the position, replacing him with deputy-chairman Petr Nečas. Mr Topolánek, whose awkward comments on gays and Jews last weekend triggered the change-of-guard, remains party chairman.

The Czech daily Právo reported this week that a former Communist prosecutor sent to prison for her role in the judicial murder of democratic politician Milada Horáková in 1950 could be released next year. Ludmila Brožová-Polednová, who at 88 is the country’s oldest prisoner, could have her six-year sentence reduced by half.

The Civic Democrats’ Mirek Topolánek has bowed to pressure from within his own party and agreed to step down as election leader two months before the Czechs go to the polls. The job has now been filled by deputy chairman Petr Nečas. More importantly, Mr Topolánek declined to give up his post of party leader - creating an unusual precedent. Many observers suggest that the compromise decision will only increase the party’s current woes and could help lead the Civic Democrats to defeat against their closest rivals in May.

A stately home on the edge of Prague has been snapped up for just under a quarter of a billion crowns. The new owner of the well preserved Baroque Koloděje landmark will be getting not just a luxury property and grounds but also an interesting slice of Czech history. We look at the individual property and top of the range real estate market.

Moravian small planes manufacturer Evektor, based near Zlin, has reason to celebrate: on Wednesday the firm – which specialises in two-seat aircraft – rolled out its first larger passenger plane in 40 years. The sleek EV 55 Outback, is designed for extreme conditions (hence the name) and is expected to go into commercial production in roughly three years’ time.

In two weeks’ time, news crews from around the world are set to descend on the Czech capital for the signing of an important deal between the United States and Russia on reducing their nuclear arsenals. The planned summit comes a year after America’s president, Barack Obama, outlined his policy on arms control in a major speech at Prague Castle.

A new sculpting project is to open up one of the few original streets of Prague’s former Jewish ghetto to the public. Sculptor Aleš Veselý’s “Three Gates” will be located in what used to be the heart of the neighborhood, near Pinkas synagogue. The project is slated to be finished in 2011. Sarah Borufka has the story.

The National Museum has opened a major new exhibit on St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech lands, who was also one of their earliest and most important rulers. What is particularly significant about this exhibit is that it brings together a collection of the most precious manuscripts and items relating to Saint Wenceslas over the course of roughly 700 years.

The deadline has passed for political parties and movements to register for lower house elections at the end of May. More have come forward than last time round four years ago with many smaller parties given a real chance of getting a seat in parliament.