Since October 2021, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) has earned nearly a million crowns from his role at Masaryk University (MU) in Brno, according to information released by the Page Not Found server on Tuesday, citing the university’s leadership.
Prior to being appointed by then-President Miloš Zeman in December 2021, Fiala held a full-time 40-hour per week position at MU. After taking office as Prime Minister, he reduced his workload at the university to a one-fifth position.
Government spokesperson Lucie Michut Ješátková confirmed that “until recently,” Fiala was still lecturing at the university. She clarified that his primary focus is now on guiding doctoral students and addressing conceptual issues related to the development of the Department of International Relations and European Studies at the Faculty of Social Studies. However, she did not specify when exactly Fiala ceased his teaching duties. “Since the Prime Minister is used to working well beyond ordinary standards, he manages his responsibilities there, often in the evenings and on weekends,” she added. Still, no one provided clarity on exactly when Fiala found time for his university work amidst his governmental responsibilities.
Veronika Velička Zapletalová, the Deputy Dean for Communications at the Faculty of Social Studies, shared that Fiala is a doctoral supervisor, a member of the Scientific Councils for both the Faculty of Social Studies and MU, and involved in expanding his publishing work. “These activities correspond to his work commitment at our institution,” she noted. According to the website, Fiala is expected to contribute eight hours per week, or 32 hours monthly, to his department. “He manages his responsibilities there, often in the evenings and on weekends,” reiterated the government spokesperson.
Fiala’s connection to Masaryk University runs deep; he was one of the founding members of the Faculty of Social Studies in Brno, and in 2004, briefly served as its dean before becoming rector of the entire university. He held leadership positions within the university until 2011.
In 2022, Mladá fronta Dnes reported that several members of Fiala’s new government, including Minister for European Affairs and now Minister of Culture Mikuláš Bek, as well as Minister of Health Vlastimil Válek, continued holding university positions. “He likes the academic environment and enjoys being in contact with students, but it is clear that regular teaching is incompatible with the position he holds,” commented government spokesperson Václav Smolka at the time regarding Fiala’s ongoing academic involvement.
