Coalition Parties To Discuss Situation Of Justice Minister Today

Seznam Zpravy reports that the leaders of Czechia's coalition parties will discuss the situation of Justice Minister Pavel Blazek, but Prime Minister Petr Fiala had already stated that he was not demanding his resignation, despite controversies around Blazek's meeting with a pro-Russian lobbyist.

• Blazek's name has attracted attention after he met in a restaurant with controversial lobbyist Martin Nejedly, even as he later claimed that the meeting was accidental. Earlier this year, he came under public scrutiny over his conflict of interest related to an investigation into a corruption case in the city of Brno.
• The Justice Minister has been under pressure for some time now, after rank-and-file members of the Pirate Party passed a resolution stating that Blazek undermines trust in the justice system, an opinion which resonated with the broader public according to a later Median/Czech Radio opinion poll.
• Government sources told Seznam Zpravy that Blazek's residnation is unlikely, as coalition parties do not want to risk destabilising the government, while Blazek has a strong position within his party and a close relationship with the Prime Minister.
• However, the situation raises the risk of tensions within the ruling coalition at a time when it needs to maintain cohesiveness amid the ongoing works on the fiscal consolidation package.