The Czech Republic’s government has appointed Eva Decroix as the new justice minister, replacing Pavel Blažek following a political scandal involving a controversial Bitcoin donation worth approximately $45 million.
The decision, announced by Prime Minister Petr Fiala on Tuesday, comes after weeks of mounting criticism over Blažek’s handling of the donation, which originated from a convicted criminal.
The controversy centers on a donation of 468 Bitcoin, valued at around €40 million (~$43.2 million), made to the Ministry of Justice earlier this year. The cryptocurrency was donated by Tomáš Jirčovský, a former operator of the now-defunct Sheep Marketplace—a Silk Road-style darknet platform. Jirčovský was convicted in 2017 on multiple charges, including drug trafficking, fraud, and illegal arms possession, and served four years in prison.
Blažek accepted the Bitcoin on behalf of the state, asserting that the donation was legal and intended to benefit the public treasury. However, critics accused him of legitimising illicit funds and circumventing established legal procedures. The scandal intensified political pressure on Blažek, who ultimately resigned from his ministerial post and left the Civic Democrat party, citing concerns that the issue was undermining public trust and distracting the government.
Prime Minister Fiala emphasized the urgency of restoring confidence in the Ministry of Justice, especially with national elections scheduled for October 3–4. He tasked Eva Decroix with conducting an independent audit of the Bitcoin donation to ensure transparency and accountability.
The opposition party ANO, led by former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, has leveraged the scandal to criticise the ruling coalition’s governance, warning that the controversy could influence voter sentiment in an already tight race. Despite the ruling coalition’s majority in the lower house, political analysts warn that the fallout from this case may have lasting repercussions.
Decroix faces the challenge of stabilising the ministry’s reputation and demonstrating a commitment to ethical governance. The government hopes her appointment signals a renewed focus on accountability and will help mitigate public discontent in the critical months ahead.
If you want to read more news articles like this, visit DeFi Planet and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and CoinMarketCap Community.
“Take control of your crypto portfolio with MARKETS PRO, DeFi Planet’s suite of analytics tools.”
