Former president says successor should have kept powers over professors

Former Czech president Václav Klaus has intervened in an ongoing debate about who should appoint university professors. Klaus said his successor Miloš Zeman made a fundamental mistake when he said he would give up his nomination powers following a row over its use. The president’s self denial has created a legal vacuum in which many professors cannot now be appointed.

Czech university rectors have rejected one proposal to solve by the problem by transferring the powers to the speaker of the Senate. That idea surfaced at a meeting between President Zeman with the upper house speaker, Milan Štěch. Rectors have protested that step would be in breach of the Czech university act. Another option is to hand the powers to the education minister.

Author: Chris Johnstone