Outgoing Czech PM offered EU job

Mr Spidla resigned last month after a disastrous showing by his party in the European elections. He will replace the existing commissioner, Pavel Telicka, who negotiated the Czech Republic's membership of the EU. Mr Spidla has said he will accept the job if offered. The nomination comes after weeks of speculation over his political future. Mr Spidla, a committed European and strong advocate of EU integration, has now been offered a handsome consolation prize in the nomination.