Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas has formally stepped down in an effort to end political turmoil over a corruption inquiry.

"Mr President, in line with the constitution... I resign," Necas told his rival left-wing President Milos Zeman.

Zeman requested that Necas stay on as a caretaker leader until a new administration is named, stressing that "the government should perform regular activities and not adopt strategic decisions,” according to international media.

The resignation follows a corruption and spying scandal that has dominated headlines in the country for most of the past week.

The scandal with a spectacular police raid last Thursday, involving 400 officers, many of them masked, searching the government offices on the banks of the Vltava River as well as 30 other buildings.

Eight high-ranking civil servants and politicians were arrested, including Necas' closest aide, Deutsche Welle reminds. Police also secured several million euros in cash and dozens of kilos of gold.

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