PRAGUE (AP) — Tens of thousands of Czechs gathered in the capital and various other cities on Sunday to show their support for President Petr Pavel amid a growing dispute with the country’s Foreign Minister, Petr Macinka. The demonstrators filled the iconic Old Town Square, with many others assembling in nearby Wenceslas Square, where they could watch speeches on large screens.
The rally featured a sea of Czech, Ukrainian, and European Union flags, alongside posters celebrating President Pavel, with slogans such as “Long Live Pavel.” The core issue of the demonstration centers on Pavel’s refusal to appoint a minister from the right-wing Motorists for Themselves Euro-skeptic party, led by Foreign Minister Macinka.
Pavel has expressed concerns regarding Filip Turek, the party’s nominee for the role of Environment Minister, citing his ineligibility due to a series of posts from his Facebook page that have been deemed openly racist, homophobic, and sexist. While Turek publicly apologized for some of the posts, he has denied making others. This controversy has placed President Pavel in direct conflict with Macinka.
Macinka has accused Pavel of breaching the country’s Constitution and has threatened the president with consequences should he continue to refuse to appoint Turek. In response, Pavel accused Macinka of attempting to blackmail him and announced plans to meet with populist Prime Minister Andrej Babiš on Wednesday to discuss the situation.
This political clash comes in the wake of Pavel swearing in a new government on December 15, following Babiš and his ANO party’s significant victory in the October elections. The new coalition government includes two smaller parties, the Freedom and Direct Democracy anti-migrant party and the Motorists party, and has set an agenda aimed at pivoting Czech support away from Ukraine while also rejecting certain key European Union policies.
In contrast to the government’s direction, President Pavel remains a strong advocate for Ukraine in its ongoing struggle against the Russian invasion. Rallies in support of Pavel occurred in several other locations across the country, showcasing widespread grassroots support for the president’s stance.
Throughout this period of political tension, the streets of Prague and beyond became a backdrop for citizens exercising their right to voice their opinions regarding the unfolding political dynamics in the Czech Republic. With no resolution yet in sight, the nation watches closely as this conflict between the presidency and the foreign ministry continues to evolve.
