Czech regions split on decision to request new state of emergency

Czech regional governors are not united over the decision to ask the government to declare another state of emergency, South Moravia governor Jan Grolich has told journalists. Governors met with government officials yesterday, and talks will continue today. The current state of emergency expires tonight at midnight.

Grolich said he had expected the government to present a more constructive approach, but there were no new ideas about the continuation of the state of emergency.

"We really did not expect the government not to come up with a real proposal," Grolich said.

He said he pinned his hopes on Sunday talks both with other regional governors and the government.

Grolich added that he was disappointed the government did not undertake talks with opposition representatives during the weekend.

"Prime Minister Andrej Babiš keeps rejecting this," Grolich said.

"I have the feeling that he does not care about the outcome. It is therefore very difficult for regional governors who are not from his party to present a request for the prolongation of the state of emergency without a problem."

Saturday's talks were exhaustive. If it were not for people's health, he would prefer to stay at home with his family on Sunday, he added.

"The road to an agreement with the government is very difficult," Grolich said.

"I hope that [Sunday] regional governors will arrive at a united stance, which we will announce to the government and it will act accordingly in the afternoon."

Grolich previously stated on Friday already that the South Moravia crisis staff and he himself support the request for another state of emergency.