President-Elect Pavel Says CNB Governor Should Get Top-Level Security Clearance

Previously flagged comments from Czech President-elect Petr Pavel are gaining some more traction as we type, after he told E15 and Seznam Zpravy that CNB Governor Ales Michl could risk losing his job if he does not go through top-level security clearance.

• "I consider the security clearance of the CNB Governor to be an important matter that I will certainly pay attention to after the inauguration, but at the moment it is not possible to predict anything and it is necessary to wait for the conclusions of the National Security Authority investigation," the President-elect told Seznam Zpravy.
• Michl requested top-level security clearance last May ahead of taking the helm of the CNB in July, but the procedure still hasn't been completed. Without the background check the Governor cannot access some classified information discussed during government or National Security Council meetings.
• Pavel told local media outlets that if Michl does not get the security clearance, he will consider further steps, without specifying the details. Prime Minister Petr Fiala refused to comment on the matter.