Pavel Will Sign Pension Bill But Backs Call For Its Constitutional Review

Czech President Petr Pavel announces that he will sign off on a contentious bill slowing the indexation of pensions despite the objections voiced by opposition lawmakers, which marks his first significant domestic political decision.

• "I have to say that the decision was not easy, because under the current circumstances no solution is good and certainly not good for everyone," Pavel tells reporters. He notes that he understands the arguments of both sides.
• Opposition lawmakers earlier threatened to sue the bill to the Constitutional Court if Pavel refuses to veto it. The President backs their call, while noting that constitutional lawyers are divided on how the Court should approach the issue.
• Pavel's decision means that the bill will become law by the crucial March 22 deadline and thus will take effect as soon as this year.