Rift deepens between Czech president and Euroskeptic govt
Czech President Petr Pavel has accused a senior member of the country’s new Euroskeptic government of attempting to intimidate him into approving a controversial cabinet appointment. The incident is the latest clash between Pavel – a former NATO general – and the government led by Prime Minister Andrej Babis.
Pavel said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Petr Macinka crossed the line in text messages to a presidential aide while trying to overcome resistance to the nomination of lawmaker Filip Turek.
Macinka leads the Motorists for Themselves party, part of the ruling coalition, where Turek serves as honorary president and regional head. Turek is accused by critics of Nazi sympathies and was recently alleged by the media to have deleted racist Facebook posts – claims he denies.
“I can say for myself that I am not subject to any intimidation and I will continue to be guided primarily by the constitution and the interests of the Czech Republic,” Pavel told reporters before publishing Macinka’s messages.
Macinka rejected the characterization, stating that influencing others “is the essence of every political negotiation.” In the texts, he said he would press the appointment issue and called Pavel’s uncompromising stance an “emotional mistake,” adding: “I’m not sure if he realizes that he’s no longer a soldier, but a politician.”
Czech Prime Minister Babis called Macinka’s language “unfortunate” but said it did not amount to blackmail. He said he’d rather handle differences behind closed doors.
Macinka said he plans to meet NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to argue the Czech Republic should be represented by the prime minister, not the president, at top-level NATO summits.
The Babis government, which took power in December, has shifted several policies favored by Pavel, including support for Ukraine against Russia. This month, Babis rejected the president’s proposal to send light fighter jets to Kiev.
