ČSSD wants countersignature on presidential pardons

The opposition Social Democrats are proposing a constitutional amendment requiring that the president obtain a countersignature on pardons. The proposal suggests that pardons be checked in this way by the prime minister or justice minister. The party already made an unsuccessful push for such countersignatures in the amendment on direct presidential elections. The party has asked the president’s office for explanations of a number of controversial pardons, particularly regarding two recent ones that are being investigated by the police.