Koudelka becomes acting counterintelligence chief as term ends

Michal Koudelka’s term as director of the Czech Republic’s BIS counterintelligence service ends on Sunday. Whether he should remain in the post has been a burning political issue in recent weeks, with President Miloš Zeman a long-term critic of Mr. Koudelka and the BIS as a whole.

With general elections due in October, the government of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš decided to make Mr. Koudelka acting head of the counterintelligence service once his term ended; the next government will resolve the matter of filling the post on a permanent basis.

Critics say the question should have been resolved some time ago and that Mr. Babiš been pressured by the president with regard to Mr. Koudelka.