Prime minister suggests curbs in president’s powers

Changes in the constitution which would curb the president’s power have been suggested by Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka. Sobotka told the CTK news agency that a 30 day limit from the parliament’s first meeting after elections should be put on the head of state to appoint a prime minister. This would avoid the situation of a former government staying in power with no mandate, he said. Sobotka also suggested that the upper house, the Senate, should have the right to agree presidential appointments to the board of the Czech National Bank. President Miloš Zeman waited until mid January to appoint Sobotka as prime minister following early elections in October 2013.

Author: Chris Johnstone