Mihály Varga, 43, promises to tackle global warming and stimulate growth
The Czech president, Milos Zeman, was sworn in the new prime minister on Monday, approving the appointment of the former opposition leader Mihály Varga at the request of the nation’s two biggest parties.
Zeman swore in Varga as prime minister in Prague’s former main power station. Varga, 43, promised to tackle global warming and stimulate growth amid continuing low inflation and a struggling economy.
Opposition parties in the Czech parliament narrowly agreed last week to back Varga, ending months of deadlock since December, when conservatives won the country’s parliamentary election.
The centre-left Social Democrats boycotted the vote, citing agreement with the president not to form a minority government. However, as the biggest party in parliament, Social Democrats had promised to support Zeman’s nominee for prime minister.
After Zeman swore in Varga as the nation’s 23rd prime minister, it was not immediately clear how the nomination was accepted by parliament. Social Democrats began consultations on Monday evening to find a new leader.