Karel Schwarzenberg has just marked a jubilee: His visit to Trieste, Italy, on June 10 was his 50^th official foreign visit since becoming foreign minister in July 2010. There is increasing chatter that Schwarzenberg is spending too much time abroad, which is reportedly playing into the hands of power cliques in the foreign ministry and “rogue elements” in his own TOP 09 party. The disparaging motto “keep granddad in the air” is widely heard in the corridors of power.

Miloš Havránek and Petr Šrámek, the owners of the accountancy firm Bene Factum, are probably cursing the day they met Michal Babák from Public Affairs. The parliamentary deputy’s claim that he has a 15 percent stake in their company has put them on the spot. Meanwhile the accountancy firm seems to have carried on some work for some interesting companies, including those in the Via Chem Group owned by the controversial entrepreneur Petr Sisák.

On Tuesday morning I heard the unbelievable news that Jan Kubice is to become Minister of Interior. I don’t like to use strong language, but in this case I believe it’s appropriate. I’m afraid that we have just crossed the Rubicon and now no rules count.      

Public Affairs (VV) — the smallest of the three parties in the ruling coalition and source of the latest crisis that is threatening to topple the government — has insisted that their official leader, Radek John, remain Interior Minister. That stance gives no ground to calls from prime minister Petr Nečas (Civic Democrats, ODS) that he be sacked for his close ties to outgoing transport minister Vít Bárta (VV).