Zeman does not want to appoint Šmarda as Minister of Culture

Prague – President Miloš Zeman does not want to appoint Vice-Chairman of the ČSSD Michal Šmarda as Minister of Culture, as proposed by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) at the request of the Social Democrats. According to the head of state, Šmarda is professionally incompetent because he has never been involved in the issues of Czech culture. However, according to the Chairman of the ČSSD and Deputy Prime Minister Jan Hamáček, the constitution does not recognize the possibility that the president should evaluate the professional qualifications of a ministerial candidate. Babiš wants to wait for the response from the head of the Social Democrats and address the situation next week after returning from vacation. The dispute over the new minister has been ongoing for a quarter of a year.

"The President of the Republic Miloš Zeman stated that Mr. Michal Šmarda has never dealt with the issues of Czech culture. For this reason, he is not professionally competent to perform the function of Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic," said the president's spokesperson Jiří Ovčáček. Zeman asked Hamáček to propose another candidate through the prime minister.

However, the ČSSD is not considering this. Statutory Vice-Chairman Roman Onderka said on Czech Television that Babiš should file a competency lawsuit against the president or force him to change his mind. If this does not happen, according to Onderka, the ministers from the Social Democrats should submit their resignations. Zeman should act according to the constitution, Hamáček added. His argument that Zeman should not decide based on professional qualifications is also shared by constitutional lawyer Jan Kysela. He stated on Czech Television that the president can reject the appointment of a minister only due to a legal obstacle or if the candidate poses a security risk.

Prime Minister Babiš wrote to CTK that he acknowledges the president's statement. "I will wait for the response from the chairman of the ČSSD Hamáček and subsequently address the situation next week after returning from vacation," he stated. Hamáček and Šmarda are also currently on vacation. According to Onderka, the party chairman should meet with the vice-chairmen upon his return and then negotiate with the prime minister.

The mayor of Nové Město, Šmarda, will respect any decision by Hamáček. In a text message sent to CTK, he stated that it is up to Hamáček and Babiš to agree on the next steps.

Like Onderka, the chairman of STAN Vít Rakušan also believes that Babiš should intervene and file a competency lawsuit. If he does not do so, according to him, he is a complete coward and contributes to bending the constitution. By not appointing Šmarda, Zeman, according to TOP 09 chairman Jiří Pospíšil, is deepening the constitutional crisis. KDU-ČSL leader Marek Výborný stated that the situation in the Ministry of Culture means ongoing instability, which does not benefit it at a time of critical budget negotiations. According to Pirate Party chairman Ivan Bartoš, politicians, as well as citizens who follow politics, expected this step from Zeman. Conversely, SPD leader Tomio Okamura wrote to CTK that his movement fully supports the president's position.

Former Minister Antonín Staněk (ČSSD) submitted his resignation in mid-May, which Zeman did not accept. Babiš then proposed, at the request of the ČSSD, the dismissal of the minister while simultaneously appointing Šmarda. After two months of hesitation, Zeman dismissed Staněk at the end of July, but did not appoint a new minister. The president indicated that he would comment on Šmarda's appointment in mid-August after the end of his vacation. The ministry of culture was entrusted to economic deputy René Schreier.