Zeman's Plan To Bring Forward Key Constitutional Court Nomination Faces Headwinds

Czech President Milos Zeman may find it difficult to execute his plan to bring forward the nomination of the next Chairperson of the Constitutional Court, according to the latest reports in local media.

• Zeman claimed being in possession of legal opinions suggesting that he might name the Court's chief, even as the incumbent Pavel Rychetsky's term expires in August. His plans have drawn criticism from political opponents, with leading presidential contender Petr Pavel noting that he would challenge such nomination in court.
• Respekt newsmagazine reports that it requested the legal analyses from the Presidential Palace under the Freedom of Information Act but its journalists were told that no such document exists.
• Zeman will step down in March, at which point he will be succeeded by the winner of the presidential contest between Andrej Babis and Petr Pavel. Appointing Constitutional Court judges is among the few important prerogatives of Czech presidency.