Czech government facing shake-up, as junior partner mulls walk out
The Czech ruling coalition is dealing with an unexpected crisis. The junior Pirate Party is threatening to walk out of the government in response to the announced dismissal of their leader from government posts.
On Tuesday morning, nothing seemed to indicate that the Czech government coalition was facing an immediate crisis. Prime Minister Petr Fiala met with Ivan Bartoš to discuss the problems with the digitalization of building permits, for which the head of the Pirate Party is politically responsible as the Deputy Prime Minister for Digitalization and Minister of Regional Development. Then, after several hours, Prime Minister Fiala announced stunning news: Ivan Bartoš had failed to persuade him that he could solve the persistent problems of the building permits system.
"The vision was completely vague, without any specific steps or timetable, and after reflecting on the outcome of that meeting, I came to the conclusion that I had no other option but to propose the dismissal of Ivan Bartoš from the government. I also informed him of this, and then I took that step. I consider it absolutely logical and correct."
Shortly after the announcement, it was Ivan Bartoš’s turn to speak to journalists, and he did not mince his words:
"It was a betrayal that, from my perspective, lacked even the basic elements of human decency. We talked not only about digitalization but also about the government's priorities for the coming year, and then, a couple of hours after our meeting, the Prime Minister simply called me to say that he had changed his mind and that he wanted to dismiss me or propose my dismissal."
However, Petr Fiala rejected any suggestion that his decision was unexpected:
"I have been discussing the issues with the digitalization of building permits, which the whole Czech Republic is aware of, with Mr. Bartoš for a long time. I had to take this step to move things forward because we can no longer afford further delays in such a key matter as the modernization and digitalization of the state."
It is the role of the President to dismiss and appoint ministers on the proposal of the Prime Minister. President Pavel learned the news in New York City, where he is attending the General Assembly of the United Nations:
"Of course, I cannot take a position when I don’t know all the circumstances and have only had more than one phone conversation. I would prefer to hear from all the parties involved. We’re moving in that direction after my return on Monday. I will have a meeting not only with Ivan Bartoš but am also arranging meetings with the leaders of the other government parties to hear their opinions."
All the heads of the coalition parties, including Petr Fiala, insist that they have no problem with the other two members of the Pirate Party in the government: Minister for Legislation Michal Šalomoun and Minister for Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský. However, the Pirates will decide over the weekend whether to stay in the government or leave in an online all-party forum. Speaking to journalists also from New York, Jan Lipavský indicated that he is not in line with at least a significant part of the leadership of the party:
"I respect that things are moving in this direction. If the Pirates vote to leave the government, then as a member of the party, I will submit my resignation, as is appropriate. On the other hand, I would also tie it to leaving this party because, at this moment, I no longer fully perceive that what was presented at the press conference is something I could defend. I’m not saying everything there was wrong, but I believe the interpretation of governance has shifted in a way that I’m no longer able to support. So, we’ll see. I’m returning to Prague on Tuesday, and political negotiations will take place on Monday, as the President told me. And that’s about all I can say on the matter for now."
Whatever the outcome of the Pirate Party forum, it will not threaten the ruling coalition. Even without the Pirates, the ruling parties have enough MPs in the lower house of Parliament to withstand a possible attempt by the opposition to overthrow the government.
