Ivan Bartoš: Pirate Party will remain in the governing coalition

The Pirate Party will not be leaving the government in the wake of its poor showing in the weekend regional and Senate elections, outgoing party chair and Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Bartoš said after a meeting with Prime Minister Petr Fiala on Tuesday. Bartoš said they had agreed that it was now important for the coalition to pull together and work to deliver on its promises ahead of next year’s general elections. He said he would remain in the post of deputy prime minister and minister for regional development.

The entire leadership of the Pirate Party announced its resignation late on Sunday in the wake of the party’s humiliating defeat in the elections. Commentators speculated on whether the Pirate Party would want to leave the government and attempt a restart under a new leadership ahead of next years’ general elections.