Europe

Czech PM to submit government resignation in 2nd half of May

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Czech President Milos Zeman, left, points his stick as Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka prior to their meeting in Prague on Thurday, May 4, 2017. Sobotka arrived at Prague Castle, the seat of the presidency, on Thursday for consultations with the president following his decision to resign with his government over the business dealings of his finance minister. (Michal Dolezal/CTK via AP) (The Associated Press)

Czech President Milos Zeman, center, and Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka shake hands prior to their meeting as president's spokesman Jiri Ovcacek, left, watches them in Prague on Thursday, May 4, 2017. Sobotka arrived at Prague Castle, the seat of the presidency, on Thursday for consultations with the president following his decision to resign with his government over the business dealings of his finance minister. (Michal Dolezal/CTK via AP) (The Associated Press)

Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka says he is planning to formally submit the resignation of his government to the country's president in the second half of May.

Sobotka previously said he wanted to do it this week and was scheduled to meet President Milos Zeman on Thursday.

He triggered a political crisis on Tuesday by his decision to resign over the business dealings of his finance minister. He said the minister, billionaire businessman Andrej Babis, had not properly explained suspicions that he avoided paying taxes.

Babis denied any wrongdoing. He is a rival of Sobotka's leftist Social Democrats and heads a centrist movement that is a favorite to win October's parliamentary elections.

Sobotka says he wants to consult the president on Thursday and inform him about Babis' suspicious business activities.