Pirates vote to call on leaders to demand removal of Blažek as minister

In an internal vote, members of the Pirate Party have called on its representatives in the governing coalition to demand the immediate removal of Pavel Blažek of the Civic Democrats as justice minister. The vote was convened after reports of a meeting between the minister and Martin Nejedlý, a close associate of ex-president Miloš Zeman with ties to Russia.

The Pirates also voted to call on leader Ivan Bartoš to discuss the matter with the Mayors party, with which the Pirates stood in the last elections.

The prime minister, Petr Fiala of the Civic Democrats, says ministers are chosen by whichever party controls a particular ministry.

The head of the Mayors and Independents Party, Vít Rakušan, responded by saying the decision was in the hands of the Civic Democrats.