Another delay in the formation of a government in the Czech Republic: President Milos Zeman wanted to appoint Petr Fiala, head of the conservative citizens’ party ODS, prime minister yesterday. However, the head of state, whose health was badly damaged, had to be admitted a few hours later on Thursday after his discharge from the military hospital in Prague – because of a corona infection.
Zeman is supposed to return to his residence at Lany Castle today, Saturday. The swearing-in should be made up there the next day. However, state epidemiologist Pavla Svrcinova vetoed it yesterday. She banned the ceremony in the presence of the infected president.
“The quarantine rules apply to both those infected and those who are symptom-free. There are no exceptions,” Svrcinova told the Czech Radio (CRo). The presidential office, which had announced Fiala’s appointment for Sunday, did not consult the hygiene authorities. “I cannot imagine how the corona rules could be complied with when the prime minister was sworn in,” said Svrcinova. It is now planned that Fiala’s swearing-in will be made up quickly and that the new government can start on December 16.
Dispute over Middle East policy
It is also unclear whether Zeman will accept all of the proposed ministers. He has reservations about the Pirate Party’s candidate for the position of foreign minister, Jan Lipavsky, because he allegedly represents pro-Palestinian positions in the Middle East conflict. Zeman is considered to be pro-Israel.
Source From: Nachrichten
