Czech President Petr Pavel on September 17 vetoed an amendment to the law on state officials, saying it could weaken the political neutrality of the civil service and expressing constitutional concerns over a provision that would strip the president of some appointment powers, Novinky reports.
Pavel’s office said the reform had been adopted without the standard consultation process or sufficient expert discussion. It said the changes could weaken safeguards for a professional and politically neutral civil service and protection for senior officials from political interference.
“I cannot accept the idea that the state should dismiss officials simply because the government has changed after an election,” Pavel said.
He also objected to a provision that would remove the president’s power to appoint heads of permanent missions to international organisations, saying the authority was granted to the president by the Constitution and could not simply be taken away.
The provision was introduced by MP Libor Vondráček of the Freedomites (Svobodní), which is part of the SPD bloc. Under the amendment, the power would be transferred to the foreign minister.
The sponsors said the changes were intended to bring employment in the civil service closer to standard employment arrangements and provide greater flexibility. Critics warned they could lead to the politicisation of the civil service and major personnel changes whenever a new government takes office.
The opposition has said it is prepared to challenge the proposal before the Constitutional Court.
The bill will now return to the Chamber of Deputies, which can override the presidential veto.
Pavel said he had signed 20 laws passed by Babiš’s government and vetoed one. He also signed amendments to the Building Act and legislation restoring electronic sales records on September 17.
By Aghakazim Guliyev
