Drábová to lead Czech nuclear safety office for another five years, government appoints her

Dana Drábová will remain chair of the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SÚJB). The government appointed her to the post today, effective November 1, for another five years. Interior Minister Vít Rakušan (STAN) said this at a press conference after the cabinet meeting. Drábová has led the office continuously since 1999, making her the country’s longest-serving senior civil servant.

The SÚJB oversees state administration of nuclear energy safety and ionizing radiation in Czechia. The office has been in operation since 1993.

The government announced a selection procedure for the head of the SÚJB at the end of August. This was required under a recently approved amendment to the Civil Service Act, which requires officials who have been in their posts for more than five years to be selected again.

The Aktuálně.cz news website reported on Monday that Drábová was the only candidate in the selection procedure. After an interview, the selection committee approved the incumbent head as a suitable candidate. Rakušan said the government therefore confirmed her in the post today.

In recent months, the state has also announced selection procedures for the heads of other state offices, including the Administration of State Material Reserves (SSHR), the Czech Mining Authority (ČBÚ), the Industrial Property Office (ÚPV), the Czech Office for Surveying, Mapping and Cadastre, and the Assay Office. According to an earlier statement by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO), interviews with the candidates have already been held, after which the office will select the most suitable candidates and submit them to the government for approval. The press conference after the cabinet meeting did not say whether the cabinet had considered them today.