Czech Republic would like strong economic portfolio for its next EU commissioner

The Czech Republic would like a strong economic-oriented portfolio for its next EU commissioner, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka told newsmen after Monday’s cabinet meeting. The prime minister said five specific portfolios had been discussed, but he would not specify which particular posts the Czech Republic was interested in. The question of finding a suitable candidate for the post has been shelved until it is clear what portfolio the new commissioner will take up. Among the nominees put forward a the Czech Republic’s first EU commissioner Pavel Telička, former finance minister Pavel Mertlík and outgoing MEP Zuzana Roithová. The current Czech commissioner for EU enlargement Štefan Fuele is due to step down in the autumn.