Czech parties to choose defence minister after presidential race

published: 16.01.2013, 14:29 | updated: 16.01.2013 14:33:27

Prague - The Czech governing coalition will choose a new defence minister after the presidential polls are over, Prime Minister Petr Necas said today, adding that consensus on the nominee must be reached by leaders of all three government parties, the Civic Democrats (ODS), TOP 09 and LIDEM.

Necas (ODS) recalled that Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, TOP 09 chairman, is one of the two candidates who will clash in the direct presidential election´s run-off vote on January 25-26.

"We must take into account the question of who will chair one of the coalition parties after the second round of the presidential election," Necas told journalists.

In December, the then defence minister Alexandr Vondra was dismissed and replaced by LIDEM chairwoman Karolina Peake, whose appointment was a result of a swap of Defence and Transport Ministries between the ODS and LIDEM.

Necas, however, had Peake dismissed after her eight days in office, saying he lost confidence in her.

President Vaclav Klaus then named Necas as the ministry´s interim head.

"Of course, it is not my interest to be acting defence minister for longer than really necessary," Necas said today.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz

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