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President to name Mynář as chancellor

President Miloš Zeman has discussed who he will name in the coming days to key roles at Prague Castle. Speaking on commercial TV station Prima Family on Sunday, the new president revealed that Vratislav Mynář, the chairman of the Citizens’ Rights – Zemanites Party is to be chancellor. He made clear that Mynář would step down as party leader. Hana Burianova is set to stay on as Mr Zeman’s spokeswoman, while the head of the foreign affairs section at the Castle will be Hynek Kmoníček, the current Czech ambassador to Australia. Two top names from the previous presidency, Jiří Weigl, and Jindřich Forejt, are staying on – Mr Weigl in the short-term to provide advice and training.

President and family to live at Lumbe Villa

In related news, the president and his family will move into the Lumbe villa presidential residence, which was also used by his predecessor, Václav Klaus. The villa overlooks the Stag Moat near Prague Castle, an area of greenery favored for walks by locals. Mr Zeman said he and his family opted for the move as he wanted to be closer to the outdoors, while his wife Ivana was set on getting a family dog. The First Puppy is reportedly a golden retriever that the family has already picked out.

President to visit troops in Afghanistan

Speaking on TV Prima on Sunday, President Miloš Zeman said he is planning to visit Czech troops currently serving in Afghanistan. Possible dates are being discussed. The president said he considered foreign operations one of two key roles served by the Czech military, the other being the integrated defense of the country. The president noted that the current government led by Petr Necas has still not filled the post of Defence Minister following the departure of Alexandr Vondra.

President singles out Mf Dnes and Lidové noviny

Milos Zeman said on Sunday he will not grant interviews summarizing his activities as president to two national newspapers Lidové noviny and Mladá fronta Dnes. No concrete reason was given. The president made clear he would not turn down others. Mr Zeman has clashed with the media before, as prime minister he took issue with Mf Dnes; the editors-in-chief at both papers expressed surprise at the president’s words; Dalibor Balšínek of Mf Dnes replied that in the national election and as a presidential candidate Mr Zeman had been more than willing to talk to the daily; he suggested that the president was trying to now discredit media that could complicate matters for him as head-of-state.

Mucha study fetches four million in auction

A study for one of the paintings in the Slav Epic by renowned Art Nouveau painter Alfons Mucha sold for four million crowns at the Dorotheum auction house in Prague on Saturday. The price is likely the highest a Mucha work has fetched in the Czech Republic, expert Jan Nízký told the Czech news agency. The sold work is a study for the Introduction of the Slavic Liturgy in Great Moravia. The starting price was 1.9 million crowns. The Slav Epic is administered by the National Gallery in Prague and is on display at Veletržní Palác.

Football: Baroš clinches hat-trick

Former international striker Milan Baroš, who recently returned to play for Ostrava in the Czech domestic league, broke an almost year-long drought on Saturday – scoring not once but three times to secure a 3:0 win against Hradec Králove. The win sees Baník move up to 10th spot in the league standings.

Tennis: Berdych moves to next round at Indian Wells

Top Czech men’s tennis player Tomáš Berdych has advanced to the 3rd round at Indian Wells. He defeated Mischa Zverev 6:2, 6:4 and faces another German player, Florian Mayer, next.

Weather

A drop in temperatures to highs of around 5 degrees Celsius is expected into the new week; Monday could see rain, drizzling rain or snow in places.