The government recalled the chief commissioner of the Czech participation at the World Expo, Soška

Prague - The government has dismissed the General Commissioner of the Czech participation at the World Expo 2025, Ondřej Soška, said Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists) after the cabinet meeting. The Czech participation and the construction of the Czech pavilion in Osaka, Japan faced criticism last year due to insufficient external funding sources and the increasing costs of construction. Macinka said today that the management ended with a significant loss compared to the approved budget. Soška's statement is being sought by ČTK.

Following Soška's dismissal, the government decided to appoint the legal entity Czech Centers to the position, which according to Macinka will allow for better control. "A very extensive audit is underway. The economy ended, as far as I know, with a significant loss compared to the approved budget. I would even say that the costs look almost doubled," the minister stated. He also criticized the previous government of Petr Fiala (ODS), which, according to him, did not control the Czech participation.

The government largely contributed to the financing of the Czech participation at Expo 2025, which included a budget of 290 million crowns. External sources were originally to provide 150 to 210 million crowns.

Expo 2025 was held from April 13 to October 13 on the artificial island of Jumejima in Osaka, Japan. The Czech national pavilion was built by the Japanese company Daisue. During the duration of the exhibition, over one and a half million people visited it. The pavilion's design in the shape of a glass spiral emerged from an open architectural competition that was won by Apropos Architects in March 2023. The building received an award from an expert jury last October for outstanding architectural work.