President Zeman meets candidates to lead education, environment ministries

President Miloš Zeman has been meeting with candidates for ministerial posts in the incoming government of prime minister-designate Petr Fiala (Civic Democrats). On Thursday, he received Petr Gadzíik (Mayors and Independents), a candidate for education minister, and Anna Hubáčková (Christian Democrats), who is in line to be the next environment minister.

Gadzík told journalists they had discussed problems facing schools in connection with the coronavirus pandemic and his plans for the school system over the next four years. They were in agreement on most points, he said, with the Czech president as especially interested in his views on online teaching.

Hubáčková said she presented Zeman with her priorities, including the protection of waterways and implications for the Czech Republic stemming from the EU’s Green Deal. She also announced that she would remain a senator.

Thus far, President Zeman has voiced no objections to the candidates for ministerial posts, apart from Jan Lipavský (Pirate Party), whom the incoming coalition government wants as foreign minister. Lipavský is currently an MP and deputy chairman of the lower house’s foreign affairs committee.