Sobotka rejects Schillerová as ANO nominee for finance minister

Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka of the Social Democrats has rejected ANO’s nominee for the post of minister of finance, Alena Schillerová. Mr. Sobotka said on Monday that Ms. Schillerová, who is currently a deputy finance minister, was not unqualified and would represent the “extended arm” of the present occupant of the post, ANO chief Andrej Babiš. He called on ANO to put forward another candidate. The PM has requested that President Miloš Zeman dismiss Mr. Babiš as finance minister but the head of state is as yet holding out on such a move. The ANO head said on Monday that Mr. Sobotka’s position was making it harder to solve the government crisis. He said his party would put forward another name by Wednesday.

Author: Ian Willoughby