Senate’s Constitutional Committee for Zeman losing powers over incapacity

The Czech Senate’s Constitutional Committee has unanimously agreed that his powers as head of state be removed from President Miloš Zeman.

Tuesday’s news comes a day after the speaker of the Senate, Miloš Vystrčil, made public a prognosis from the hospital where Mr. Zeman is being treated that said he was unable at present to perform his duties for health reasons.

Under article 66 of the Czech Constitution a president’s powers can be removed if he “is unable to execute his official duties for serious reasons”.

The Senate is expected to vote on article 66 on November 5. MPs should vote on it after November 8, when a new Chamber of Deputies is convened.

The Senate speaker is due to hold talks with leaders of party groups in the upper chamber and the chairs of political parties later on Tuesday.