Czech Republic: President Miloš Zeman remains unable to work for the time being

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Czech President Miloš Zeman was taken to the intensive care unit of a hospital on October 10th

Photo: David W Cerny / REUTERS

Czech President Miloš Zeman was hospitalized shortly after the parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic.

Now it appears to be long-term - amid efforts to form a new government.

According to a hospital report, there is little chance that Zeman will be able to return to work in the coming weeks, said Senate President Miloš Vystrčil.

The long-term forecast is also "extremely uncertain".

Impeachment proceedings possible

Now the parliament has to decide whether the constitutional transfer of the tasks of the president to another representative of the state should be used.

According to the constitution, the president appoints the prime minister.

The president can also be temporarily relieved of his official duties with a simple majority in both chambers of parliament.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš had shown himself ready to resign after the election.

His populist ANO party remained the strongest single force in parliament, but Babiš has lost his government majority.

The center-right alliance together and the liberal formation pirates / mayors had won 108 of the 200 seats in the lower house of parliament.

Before the election, President Zeman announced that the government mandate would go to the strongest individual party - again to the ANO von Babiš.

Babiš has meanwhile signaled that he does not want to accept the mandate to form a government.

lau / AP / Reuters / dpa