Foreign Minister Petříček dismissed from office

President Miloš Zeman dismissed Czech Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček from office on Monday. His dismissal came at the request of Social Democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister Jan Hamáček, who will temporarily take over the portfolio until a successor is found.

Tomás Petříček unsuccessfully challenged Jan Hamáček for the top party post at the Social Democratic Party’s election conference at the weekend. Mr. Petříček said that he considers his dismissal to be a political decision.

Jan Hamáček has offered the post to Petříček’s predecessor Lubomír Zaorálek, who is currently serving as culture minister. The top post at the culture ministry is to be filled by Social Democrat MP Jan Birke, who has confirmed receiving the offer. Mr. Zaorálek is considering the offer.