Andrej Babiš’s government’s term of office has ended officially today. The new government led by Petr Fiala was appointed on Friday morning by President Zeman in the Castle.
President Miloš Zeman wished the incoming government to achieve the best interests of the Czech Republic. After the government’s appointment, Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) stated that it wouldn’t be easy, but they could cope with all the difficulties together.
According to Zeman, the government has a lot of problems to deal with. “You will have the opportunity and responsibility to deal with Covid, with the energy crisis and, of course, with the economy of the state,” he added.
We know that it will not be easy, but I am convinced that we will manage it together. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but we want to do things systematically, “the new Prime Minister, Petr Fiala, announced.
The new government has 18 members, including the Prime Minister and 17 ministers. The previous cabinet of Andrej Babiš (ANO) had 15 members. In comparison to last years, it has added a minister for European affairs, former Masaryk University rector Mikuláš Bek(STAN), a minister for legislation, Michal Šalomoun(Pirates), and a minister for science, research, and innovation (TOP 09 MP Helena Langšádlová).
However, the incoming agriculture minister, Zdeněk Nekula (KDU-ČSL), in isolation due to the infection with Covid-19, has not yet been appointed. Marian Jurečka, the chairman of the People’s Party, is temporarily in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture.