Dienstbier: Running for European Parliament would signal surrender to Zeman

One proposed cabinet member who is not popular with the president, senator Jiří Dienstbier, has rejected speculation he could lead the Social Democrats’ campaign for European elections later this year. Mr. Dienstbier is in the frame to become minister without portfolio and a member of the government’s legislative council. He told Czech Radio on Tuesday that if he were to leave for Brussels the move would be perceived as the Social Democrats surrendering to Mr. Zeman. Other proposed ministers who the president may attempt to block are Lubomir Zaorálek, set to take the foreign affairs portfolio, and Martin Stropnický, in line for defence.