Lower house nominates former president Zeman for state honour

The Czech Chamber of Deputies has nominated former president Miloš Zeman for the country’s highest state honour, the Order of the White Lion. Other nominees approved by lawmakers include writer Milan Kundera, former foreign minister Jaroslav Šedivý, filmmaker Karel Zeman and horse racing pioneer Marie Immaculata Brandisová. The lower house submitted 131 names to President Petr Pavel, who will make the final decision on this year’s state awards.