Czech Vice-Premier Jiri Cunek resigned from his government posts Monday in a step that averted a government collapse amid coalition squabbles over a cabinet reshuffle, reported dpa.
The move is a victory for Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, who decided to sack Cunek, the leader of junior ruling Christian Democrats, amid plans to overhaul his three-party centre-right cabinet.
Topolanek's weak government chairs the European Union until June 30.
The premier vowed to replace several ministers after voters issued his senior ruling Civic Democrats a stern report card in regional and Senate elections in October.
Cunek, who also held the post of minister for regional development, fought to keep his posts.
He demanded that Topolanek sack his Christian Democratic rival, Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek, in a move that initially threatened to topple the fragile government.
Cunek remains the Christian Democratic leader.
Defence Minister Vlasta Parkanova is to assume his vice-premier's post, while Cyril Svoboda, who heads government's legislative body, is to replace him at the helm of the Regional Development Ministry.
Cunek, 49, rose to the top tiers of power in 2006 after he had, as mayor of the small town of Vsetin, evicted dozens of Roma families from a rundown downtown building to a new shipping-container housing facility on the town's edge.
His meteoric political career had been marred by scandals.
He stepped down in November 2007 due to accusations of alleged bribe-taking but returned after five months when the state attorney's office shelved his case.