Sobotka rejects minister Mládek’s resignation after Senate loss

The Social Democrat minister of industry and trade, Jan Mládek, tendered his resignation on Monday after losing a run-off vote to the Senate, informing party leader Bohuslav Sobotka that he was making his cabinet place available. However, Mr. Sobotka immediately rejected the resignation offer. He said that failing to win a Senate seat was no reason to dismiss Mr. Mládek, and that the latter’s work in cabinet was more important. The Social Democrats won just two seats in the second round of voting on 27 of the 81 seats in the upper chamber at the weekend.

Author: Ian Willoughby