Czech Prime Minister Necas proposes Picek as defence minister

Necas says Picek completely fulfils his idea of an unaffiliated expert with all preconditions to occupy the post of defence minister.

"The past three months also proved that he was able to fully represent the sector at home and abroad," Necas said.

Picek, former chief of staff, is to be appointed on Tuesday afternoon, according to CTK sources.

Necas has been temporarily heading the ministry since December 2012 when Deputy PM Karolina Peake (LIDEM) was dismissed from the post of defence minister after merely eight days in office.

Zeman indicated on Friday that he expected Picek to be appointed a new defence minister.

"I will sincerely congratulate the prime minister on his very good choice," Zeman said at the Social Democrat (CSSD) congress in Ostrava, north Moravia, then.

The government TOP 09 withdrew its objections to Picek last week.

However, Deputy PM Peake does not support Picek´s appointment, according to her previous words.

When she assumed office of defence minister, she dismissed Picek immediately, but Necas re-installed him in the deputy minister´s post after firing Peake.

However, LIDEM is not to leave the government coalition over Picek´s appointment.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz