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Czech Government Loses Confidence Vote, Extending Instability Czech Government Loses Confidence Vote, Extending Instability
(35 minutes later)
The new Czech government lost a confidence vote on Wednesday, extending the political instability that has undermined the country since a corruption scandal forced the collapse of the previous government in June.The new Czech government lost a confidence vote on Wednesday, extending the political instability that has undermined the country since a corruption scandal forced the collapse of the previous government in June.
Last month, President Milos Zeman appointed a close ally, the leftist economist Jiri Rusnok, as prime minister after his predecessor, Petr Necas, resigned in June. Mr. Necas stepped down after a senior aide was charged with bribery and abuse of office and several other officials were implicated in the largest graft investigation in the country since the fall of Communism.Last month, President Milos Zeman appointed a close ally, the leftist economist Jiri Rusnok, as prime minister after his predecessor, Petr Necas, resigned in June. Mr. Necas stepped down after a senior aide was charged with bribery and abuse of office and several other officials were implicated in the largest graft investigation in the country since the fall of Communism.
But the appointment of Mr. Rusnok set off a revolt by rightist parties previously aligned with Mr. Necas. Holding a parliamentary majority, they have accused Mr. Zeman of breaching democratic norms and insisted that their preferred candidate, Miroslava Nemcova, the Parliament speaker, should become prime minister.But the appointment of Mr. Rusnok set off a revolt by rightist parties previously aligned with Mr. Necas. Holding a parliamentary majority, they have accused Mr. Zeman of breaching democratic norms and insisted that their preferred candidate, Miroslava Nemcova, the Parliament speaker, should become prime minister.
In the 200-seat lower house of Parliament, Mr. Rusnok lost the vote of confidence 100-93. Seven members were not present during the vote. In the 200-seat lower house of Parliament, Mr. Rusnok lost the vote of confidence 100 to 93. Seven members were not present during the vote.
Under the Czech Constitution, Mr. Zeman has a second chance to appoint a prime minister. But he has no constitutional deadline to name a replacement before the next elections scheduled for next spring, and the Rusnok government can stay on as caretaker.Under the Czech Constitution, Mr. Zeman has a second chance to appoint a prime minister. But he has no constitutional deadline to name a replacement before the next elections scheduled for next spring, and the Rusnok government can stay on as caretaker.
Speaking ahead of the vote, Mr. Zeman said that he would keep Mr. Rusnok in place for several weeks even if he lost, pending the conclusion of the corruption investigation that ensnared the previous government. Speaking before the vote, Mr. Zeman said that he would keep Mr. Rusnok in place for several weeks even if he lost, pending the conclusion of the corruption investigation that ensnared the previous government.
Parliament has the power to dissolve itself, which would spur early elections, and the parties were expected to discuss that possibility in the coming days.Parliament has the power to dissolve itself, which would spur early elections, and the parties were expected to discuss that possibility in the coming days.
Analysts said the lack of consensus in Czech politics would invariably cripple policy making while also threatening to alienate foreign investors. Protracted disagreement between fiscally conservative rightist parties and Mr. Rusnok, who favors higher taxes and spending, could also undermine the economy, which has been in a recession since 2011.Analysts said the lack of consensus in Czech politics would invariably cripple policy making while also threatening to alienate foreign investors. Protracted disagreement between fiscally conservative rightist parties and Mr. Rusnok, who favors higher taxes and spending, could also undermine the economy, which has been in a recession since 2011.
Critics have accused Mr. Zeman, the Czech Republic’s first popularly elected president, of seeking to orchestrate a power grab. Petr Fiala, a former minister of education who turned down a position in the current caretaker government, said it did not have the legitimacy to govern and would further undermine Czechs’ already shaky confidence in politics. “We are witnessing a repeated and deep crisis of the Czech political system,” he said. “People are highly unsatisfied with politics and this has to change.” Critics have accused Mr. Zeman, the Czech Republic’s first popularly elected president, of seeking to orchestrate a power grab. Petr Fiala, a former minister of education who turned down a position in the current caretaker government, said it did not have the legitimacy to govern and would further undermine Czechs’ already shaky confidence in politics. “We are witnessing a repeated and deep crisis of the Czech political system,” he said. “People are highly unsatisfied with politics, and this has to change.”
Since early July, the new government, before being approved by Parliament, has nevertheless shaken up the state administration, replacing 97 people at ministries and state companies, including at the Czech railways, one of the state’s largest employers. Since early July, the new government, before being approved by Parliament, has nevertheless shaken up the state administration, replacing 97 people at ministries and state companies, including the Czech railways, one of the state’s largest employers.
In June, the police arrested several people — including Mr. Necas’s former chief of staff and the current and former chiefs of military intelligence — in the most extensive anticorruption operation since the Velvet Revolution of 1989.In June, the police arrested several people — including Mr. Necas’s former chief of staff and the current and former chiefs of military intelligence — in the most extensive anticorruption operation since the Velvet Revolution of 1989.
The chief of staff, Jana Nagyova, whom Mr. Necas has since described as his girlfriend, was charged with abuse of power and bribery after prosecutors said she ordered a military intelligence agency to spy on Mr. Necas’s wife. They divorced on Tuesday. The former chief of staff, Jana Nagyova, whom Mr. Necas has since described as his girlfriend, was charged with abuse of power and bribery after prosecutors said she ordered a military intelligence agency to spy on Mr. Necas’s wife. They divorced on Tuesday.
Ms. Nagyova was also accused of offering posts in state-owned companies to several rebellious lawmakers in return for their agreeing to leave Parliament. She has denied any wrongdoing.Ms. Nagyova was also accused of offering posts in state-owned companies to several rebellious lawmakers in return for their agreeing to leave Parliament. She has denied any wrongdoing.

Hana de Goeij contributed reporting from Prague.

Hana de Goeij contributed reporting from Prague.