The stalemate over the nominee for Culture Minister continues as both parties refuse to make any concessions in the negotiations.<\/p>\n
President Milos Zeman and Prime Minister Andrej Babis both contend the Social Democrats nominee Michal Smarda is not qualified for the position and must be replaced by a new candidate.<\/p>\n
Social Democrat chairman Jan Hamacek told reporters there was zero progress in the meeting today. The CSSD stands behind their nominee and has no plans to replace him, he added.<\/p>\n
This fight is not over a single nominee. It’s about a President who refuses to abide by the constitution, Hamacek said.<\/p>\n
The Social Democrats are threatening to leave the government over the dispute. But have not yet set a deadline for doing so.<\/p>\n
Babis and Zeman will hold talks on the matter on Tuesday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"