Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis dismissed his Health Minister Jan Blatny on Wednesday.

Blatny s successor is Petr Arenberger, the former director of the Vinohrady Hospital in Prague, the government announced on its website.

Blatny, who had been the leader of the ministry since September last year, described his dismissal as a political decision, which the prime minister was entitled to at his own discretion.

President Milos Zeman demanded Blatny s dismissal more than a month ago, arguing that the minister was not a good manager and had taken wrong steps. Zeman stated that if Babis did not dismiss Blatny, it would have a negative impact on their good relationship.

According to press reports, Zeman s main complaint was that Blatny had refused to authorise the use of Chinese and Russian coronavirus jabs in the Czech Republic, something which the president has openly lobbied for. The current legislation, however, stipulates that the heath minister has the final say in such professional matters.