Former rector of Brno’s Masaryk University Petr Fiala was on Wednesday
appointed the new education minister. Mr Fiala, who has also served as
chief science and research advisor to PM Petr Nečas, assumed the post a
month after his predecessor stepped down over problems with securing EU
funds. The nomination of the former rector and political scientist, who is
unaffiliated with any political party, was agreed upon by both parties in
the ruling coalition.
Ahead of his appointment, Mr Fiala said he could not promise a miracle but
would try to stabilize the education sector. The opposition has welcomed
the appointment but predicted that as an independent expert, Mr Fiala will
find it difficult to deal with his colleagues in the centre-right
government.