MPs back bill curbing president’s role in diplomatic appointments

The Czech Chamber of Deputies has approved legislation that would remove the president’s authority to appoint and dismiss heads of the country’s permanent missions to international organisations. Under the proposal, those powers would be transferred to the foreign minister, while the president would retain responsibility for appointing ambassadors. The amendment, introduced by Libor Vondráček of the SPD/Free alliance, forms part of a broader civil service reform and now goes to the Senate. Opposition lawmakers criticised the move as politically motivated and aimed at President Petr Pavel, while supporters argued it better reflects the Czech Republic’s parliamentary system.