PM-No Gov't Reshuffle Despite Revision Of Coalition's Program Statement

Speaking to domestic news agency CTK, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has stated that he does not intend to launch a ministerial reshuffle or change offices between the various coalition parties despite changes being made to the policy program statement agreed between Fiala's centre-right Spolu (Together) alliance and the liberal-centrist Pirates and Mayors alliance.

• The new program statement sees the Czech gov't commit to spending 2% of GDP on defence, in line with NATO targets. Fiala also states that the new program statement could see a change to VAT, and that the gov't is preparing a reform to the pension system. Also claims that the gov't budget deficit will be reduced from 2024.
• Fiala also says the gov't still intends to take a greater stake in the nation's energy industry, and that the first moves could come in 2023. Fiala refused to give any response to questions regarding the potential restructuring of electricity producer CEZ, in which the gov't holds a 70% stake.