Prague, Oct 17 (CTK) – Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka (Social Democrats, CSSD) will not dismiss Industry and Trade Minister Jan Mladek (CSSD) who asked him to make a decision on his future after he failed in the second round of the Senate election at the weekend, Sobotka said on Monday.
He said Mladek’s performance as minister is of key importance.
Mladek sent a letter to Sobotka, writing that he is leaving it up to him to say whether or not he wants him to continue in the ministerial post, he told journalists before a government meeting on Monday.
Sobotka said on Saturday already that he, in his capacity as prime minister, does not want Mladek to leave the government after his election failure.
Sobotka said he considers Mladek an experienced minister. “He advanced to the second round of the Senate election,” he said.
Mladek lost to teacher Jaroslav Vetrovsky (for ANO) in the second round of the election to one third of the Senate, held on October 14-15.
The finance minister and ANO chairman, Andrej Babis, wrote on Facebook that Mladek is a political parasite and called on voters to support Vetrovsky.
Mladek tweeted that Babis is a shady dealer who lacks any decency.
