Pirate Party leader slams president’s decision on foreign minister nominee

President Zeman’s reasons for refusing to name the incoming government coalition nominee for Foreign Minister, Jan Lipavský, are “completely made up”, the Chairman of the Pirate Party Ivan Bartoš told CNN Prima News on Sunday.

Mr Bartoš said that Mr Lipavský, who is a member of the Pirate Party, remains the coalition's only candidate for the position of head of Czech diplomacy. He believes that the Monday meeting between President Zeman and Prime Minister designate Petr Fiala will be key for deciding how to proceed further, highlighting that the coalition could put the case to the Constitutional Court.

President Zeman officially announced on Friday that he will not accept Mr Lipavský. Among his reasons he mentioned the nominee's stance on Israel and the fact that he holds only a BA in International Relations.