Babiš will meet with representatives of the petition for Staněk's dismissal

Prague - Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) would like to meet with representatives of the petition for the dismissal of Minister of Culture Antonín Staněk (ČSSD) due to the removal of National Gallery Prague director Jiří Fajt and director of the Museum of Art Olomouc Michal Soukup. Babiš stated today on his Facebook profile that Staněk assured him that he had serious reasons for Fajt's dismissal.

In his statement, Babiš praised Fajt. According to the Prime Minister, the minister must announce a transparent selection process for the new director of the gallery. "It is necessary for the new management to continue in the course set by Mr. Fajt," stated Babiš’s post. The Prime Minister also wants to meet with Fajt to explain the matter. "I hope he can clarify the doubts raised by the audit in the gallery and the criminal report submitted by Minister Staněk," Babiš added.

Minister of Culture Antonín Staněk will explain the controversial dismissal of National Gallery Prague director Jiří Fajt and Museum of Art Olomouc director Michal Soukup to the leadership of the Social Democracy party upon his return from China. Statutory Deputy Chairman of ČSSD Roman Onderka said in today’s Questions of Václav Moravec on Czech Television that he would personally consider Staněk’s departure from the cabinet. The minister stated to ČTK today that he would be happy to explain the dismissal of both directors to the narrow leadership of ČSSD.

Representatives of cultural institutions and artists have drawn up a petition against Staněk's dismissal from the position of Minister of Culture. The minister justified his decisions regarding Fajt and Soukup by citing a loss of trust and alleged economic and managerial shortcomings. The petitioners disagree with the stated reasons for their dismissal. They compare it to the practices of the normalization period before 1989.

Onderka said that he does not find Staněk's actions very professional. "The petition is a significant problem. We do not take it lightly," he noted. The minister is currently visiting China with President Miloš Zeman and is expected to explain Fajt's and Soukup's dismissals to the members of the ČSSD presidium next week, according to Onderka. If he does not justify his actions, ČSSD should consider Staněk's removal from the government, Onderka believes.

Staněk informed ČTK in a text message from China today that he has already explained the reasons for the dismissal of both directors to ČSSD chairman Jan Hamáček, who accepted the explanation. "I personally informed the ČSSD parliamentary club, which also accepted my explanation. If the PG (political presidium) seeks an explanation, I will be happy to provide it," stated the minister.

The authors of the petition state that despite a long-standing lack of funds for the operations of the National Gallery Prague, Fajt managed to revive the previously dormant institution in a relatively short time. They also note that the planned reconstruction of the Trade Fair Palace and the announcement of an international architectural competition, as well as future collaboration with the Centre Pompidou in Paris, is now at risk. According to the petition's authors, the minister has fundamentally damaged the good reputation and international program of the Museum of Art Olomouc by using distorted and misleading arguments for the dismissal of its director Soukup.

Staněk reacted through his office on Friday, stating that he humanly understands the emotions of the artists. However, he regrets that instead of a factual and critical understanding of the reasons for the dismissal of both directors, "an irrational atmosphere and deliberate intimidation in the form of a threat to Czech culture prevails."