Czech President Petr Pavel has begun a series of consultations with candidates for ministerial posts in the new government at Prague Castle. The meetings are intended to familiarise the president with the priorities of future ministers, assess their readiness to lead ministries, and clarify the form of cooperation between the Castle and the new government.

Pavel stated that he strives to maintain continuity in topics he considers essential for the Czech Republic and wants to share his own experiences from domestic and foreign trips, where he encountered issues related to individual agendas.

The first to arrive for the consultation was the candidate for Minister of Education, Youth and Sport. Robert Plaga nominated by the ANO movement. Both parties agreed that education is a key investment in the country's future. Plaga included the modernisation of teaching content, reducing inequalities and the subsequent evaluation of the system for financing non-teaching staff among his priorities. The president described the emerging government's programme objectives in the field of education as correct and shared Plaga's priorities.

The second meeting was with the candidate for Minister of Health. Adamu Vojtěchovi. The meeting focused on the current situation in Czech healthcare, the digitisation of the system, prevention, accessibility of care and the role of health insurance companies. Vojtěch would like to build on the projects of the outgoing minister and continue with the digitisation of healthcare and the reform of mental health care.

The President praised the thoroughness of the healthcare section in the government's policy statement and promised his support in pushing through legislative changes.

The last consultation on Friday was held with Jeroným Tejc, candidate for Minister of Justice. One of the main topics of discussion was the independence of the judiciary, followed by the digitisation of the judiciary, electronic files and technologies using artificial intelligence. Tejc drew attention to the problem of consecutive suspended sentences and outlined the need for higher salaries for court employees. He also agreed with the president that the ministry's reputation had suffered after the bitcoin donation scandal.

Pavel announced that consultations will continue on Monday, 1 December, when three more candidates from the ANO movement will arrive at the Castle. In the following days, other nominees will be received, followed by representatives of the SPD and then Motorists for Themselves, who will conclude the series of meetings. The president declared that he is prepared to offer all candidates his support in pushing through the changes necessary for the country's prosperity and stability.

gnews.cz - GH