Prague Castle confirms ambassadorial appointments

The former first lady Livia Klausová is to be named ambassador to Slovakia, and former astronaut, Communist party MEP Vladimir Remek will become the country’s ambassador to Russia, President Zeman’s Chancellor Vratislav Mynar told Czech Television on Thursday. Confirmation from Prague Castle means that both nominees have been approved by the host countries. The appointments of these two particular candidates were at the centre of a long-running dispute between the president and then-foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg, blocking several other problem-free nominations for weeks. Mr. Schwarzenberg has accused the president of using the Rusnok government to get his own way in the matter. It is not yet clear when the appointments will be made.