Babiš asked Zeman for a quick solution to the problem with the Minister of Culture

Lány - Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) has asked President Miloš Zeman to resolve the issue quickly once the Chairman of the ČSSD, Jan Hamáček, proposes a new candidate for the Minister of Culture. The Prime Minister wants the government to be complete as soon as possible and to function. He intends to withdraw the nomination of the ČSSD vice-chairman Michal Šmarda and propose a new candidate to Zeman immediately after Hamáček communicates his proposal. He told journalists this after today's meeting with the president in Lány.

"It is now up to Mr. Chairman Hamáček when he will come forward with it. But I certainly think that we all want to finally put this problem behind us. I also asked Mr. President that once this happens, it should be possible to resolve the issue quickly and that the government should be complete and be able to function," said Babiš. According to the Prime Minister, the suggestion of a new candidate must be preceded by better communication than was the case with Šmarda.

"I presume that I will learn the name as soon as possible. I will contact Mr. Chairman Hamáček and we will see when it comes. Then I will act according to my competences. That means I would request the withdrawal of Mr. Šmarda's nomination and for a new nomination," added Babiš, stating that he would do it immediately.

The dispute over the minister's replacement has been ongoing for a quarter of a year. Zeman dismissed Antonín Staněk (ČSSD) mid-summer, two months after receiving the proposal, but promised to comment on his successor only in mid-August. Last Wednesday, he stated that Šmarda is professionally incompetent because he has never dealt with issues of Czech culture. The ČSSD was asked to propose another candidate. At the end of last week, Babiš also rejected Šmarda, among other reasons due to his recent statements. Šmarda resigned his nomination on Monday due to the president's and prime minister's criticisms. According to Babiš, this unblocked the situation.

Babiš criticized Šmarda on television Prima on Friday after returning from vacation. He stated that he would not have him in the government because he is not a good candidate and based on his media appearances, he fears that he would only criticize in the government. "It was my decision. I did not discuss it with the president. I proceed according to my competences and rights, and in essence, no one influenced how I expressed myself. I decided so based on various media appearances. I do not want to return to it; it is behind us, and the debate is unnecessary," the Prime Minister said today.

Babiš invited Zeman to a government meeting on September 16, during which the cabinet will approve the budget for the next year. According to the Prime Minister, the president confirmed his attendance. Babiš also stated that he arranged with Minister of Finance Alena Schillerová (for ANO) on Monday evening to convene a tripartite meeting for salary negotiations on September 9 after the government session.