Trade Minister Mládek under pressure over lackluster performance

Trade Minister Jan Mládek is to meet with Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka on Thursday for what the media describe as a second pep talk in the space of a fortnight. The meeting concerns his performance in office which the prime minister has criticized as lackluster. Mr. Sobotka said recently he wanted his party’s ministers to shift into higher gear and he expects to be briefed by each one how they plan to go about it. The online news site novinky.cz says Mr. Mládek’s position in office is shaky and is already speculating about a possible successor.