Balvín from Czech TV accepts culture minister post

Former director of Czech Television, Jiří Balvín, accepted an offer from Prime Minister Jiří Rusnok to become the next culture minister. Mr. Rusnok, who was asked to form a caretaker technocrat government by President Zeman last week, has already three other ministerial positions filled – Martin Pecina accepted the post of interior minister, Marie Benešová is to be the new justice minister and Mirsolav Toman will lead the agriculture ministry. Mr. Rusnok said on Friday night said that he is happy with his progress of forming the interim cabinet, since in his first week on the job, he has been able to secure half of the positions. So far there is no indication that his cabinet would pass the vote of confidence in the lower house.