Senate chair: Czech president unable to fulfil his duties

President Miloš Zeman is not able to fulfil his presidential duties  and the chances of an early recovery are highly uncertain, Senate chair Miloš Vystrčil said at a press briefing on Monday, quoting the president’s chief physician.

Senator Vystrčil said senators and parliamentary party leaders would meet on Tuesday to debate activating Article 66 of the Czech Constitution which would transfer the president’s powers to other constitutional officials.

Under Czech law in the event that the president is incapable of performing his duties his powers are divided between the prime minister and the speakers of both houses of Parliament. Although his powers would be delegated to others, Mr. Zeman would remain head of state and could take up his duties once his health allowed.

President Zeman remains in intensive care at Prague’s Central Military Hospital with an undisclosed chronic condition.