Second Czech government minister resigns over plagiarism

PRAGUE, Czech Republic – The Czech Republic’s labour and social affairs minister has become the second member of the new government who has resigned because of plagiarism allegations.

Petr Krcal was sworn in June 27 along with the rest of the coalition government led by billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis that is meant to end a period of political instability following October’s parliamentary election.

Krcal announced his resignation Tuesday after facing allegations that he plagiarized large sections of his bachelor’s thesis in 2007. Tomas Bata University in the eastern city of Zlin where he studied has launched an investigation into the allegations.

Krcal followed Justice Minister Tatana Mala, who stepped down last week amid allegations she plagiarized parts of two theses at two universities.