Martin Bartak, future Czech Defense Minister? And other names

Martin Bartack (ODS) could fill the position of Defense Minister in the future "transitional technical" Czech government formed between the Social Democrats (CSSD) and the Christian Democrats (ODS). A reorganization made necessary after the vote of the motion of censure against the Topolanek government. Currently in the post of secretary of state for defence, he is the candidate most often cited to replace current minister Vlasta Parkanova (whose departure seems certain, her party not taking part in the new transitional government). Born on February 14, 1967, a neurosurgeon by profession (practicing at the "Na Homolce" hospital in Prague), Martin Bartak is the specialist in defense and security issues for the ODS. He was notably the adviser to the vice-president of the ODS, Petr Necas (2002-2006). The new minister will have the task of chairing the meeting of EU Defense Ministers on May 18; the Czech Republic continuing, come what may, despite its internal difficulties, to preside over the EU until 30 June 2009.

(Updated) For Foreign Affairs, the social democrats proposed Jan Kohout. A very experienced diplomat, a fine connoisseur of European affairs. Member of the CSSD, member of the European Convention, Kohout was the first Czech ambassador to the EU from May 2004 to 2008. He had refused the post of Prime Minister in 2005, and is today one of Schwarzenberg's deputy (current Minister of Foreign Affairs, resigned), vice minister in charge of cooperation and humanitarian aid.

To European affairs, he is the current ambassador to NATO, Stefan Fule, who is expected to succeed Vladimir Vondra. A graduate in philosophy from the University of Prague, he took courses at the Institute of International Relations in Moscow from 1981 to 1986 (during the Soviet “beautiful era”). His career as a diplomat, he essentially began, at the UN in New York and then in the "United Nations" department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He then served as Ambassador to Lithuania (1998-2001), was then First Deputy Minister of Defense (in the Social Democratic government, 2001-2002) then Ambassador to London, before landing at NATO (2005-2009) where he became a fervent defender of the policy followed by his government concerning the establishment of a US radar as part of the anti-missile shield, while his party was opposed to it. Nice tour de force...

(photos: CS Ministry of Defence, CS Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NATO)

(NGV)