Free Trial

Zeman Could Try To Appoint New Constitutional Court Chief Before Leaving Office

CZECHIA

Czechia's President Milos Zeman could appoint the new head of the Constitutional Court before he vacates his office in March, several well-informed sources told Seznam Zpravy.

  • The 10-year term of the current Chairman of the Constitutional Court Pavel Rychetsky expires in August, which means his successor should be appointed by Czechia's next President, who will be elected in January.
  • Seznam Zpravy suggests that Zeman considers tapping justice Josef Fiala to run the Constitnutional Court once Rychetsky steps down, but Fiala himself has so far refused to confirm if he has received any such offer.
  • Under the discussed plan, Zeman would keep Rychetsky as Constitutional Court Chairman and the designated successor would take over in August. Under the Czech law, the head of the Court cannot be dismissed by the President.
  • If Zeman implemented this scenario, it would set a dangerous precedent and his decision would likely be challenged on the basis that he cannot nominate a candidate for a position which remains occupied. Furthermore, his decision would still need to be approved by the Senate.

To read the full story

Close

Why MNI

MNI is the leading provider

of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.

Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.