17 January 2014

Radio Prague: Sobotka becomes 11th Czech PM since 93…but how long will he last?

On 17 January, Czech President Milos Zeman appointed Bohuslav Sobotka as Prime Minister. Sobotka, leader of the Social Democratic Party (CSSD), committed to increasing pensions and minimum salaries whilst maintaining the deficit below the 3 per cent threshold. (Includes S&D comment.)

Czechs have become used to political instability - they've had little else for the past decade. On the face of it Mr Sobotka will command a firm majority in parliament - 111 of 200 seats - but his largest coalition ally, the ANO party, formed by a billionaire businessman just two years ago, is very much an unknown quality. Mr Sobotka too will have to deal with tensions within his own Social Democrats, after an aborted attempt to get rid of him, as well as thinly veiled hostility from the president.

For now his party colleagues sound optimistic that their chairman does have it takes to lead a government and a country. Libor Rouček is a leading Social Democrat MEP. “I personally do hope that this government will be successful, will be stable. Because it’s exactly what the country needs. Four years of stability, to concentrate on reforms, and move forwards.”

But some commentators are less convinced. Petr Just is a lecturer in political science at Prague's Metropolitan University. “Usually the main problem which appears to be a coalition breaker are the internal affairs of a coalition party. It’s not so much the interaction between the coalition parties, it’s usually the problems within the political party. So actually we can never rule out the situation that a political crisis, political instability will appear, even if we have a government which is backed by 111 members of parliament.”

So clearly some grounds for scepticism. And with the past elected government falling in a spectacular sex, spying and corruption scandal, and President Zeman's installation of an interim cabinet against the wishes of parliament, one can perhaps forgive Czech voters for their rather jaded view of politics.

Full article

Czech government press release

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S&D response

Hannes Swoboda, president of the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament, said: "I congratulate Prime Minister Sobotka, who now has the task to bring reform and progress to the Czech Republic and the European Union. I am convinced that under the ČSSD-leadership, the new Czech government will make the necessary reforms and efforts to make the Czech Republic a competitive and thriving country. The confirmation of all proposed government ministers of the coalition is now necessary without delay, so that the work can begin. Every day without a functioning government is a wasted day for the Czech Republic."

Libor Rouček, vice-president of the Socialists and Democrats Group, added: "The Czech Republic needs four years of stability to concentrate on the necessary reform. Improving the functioning of the state administration and fighting corruption will be among their top priorities."

Press release

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