Political crisis hits Czech Republic as no-confidence vote looms

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s new Czech coalition government is facing a parliamentary no-confidence vote on February 3, triggered by a dispute with President Petr Pavel.

Opposition parties backing Pavel called for the vote after Deputy Prime Minister Petr Macinka allegedly pressured the president to appoint a minister from Macinka’s right-wing, eurosceptic Motorists for Themselves party, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Pavel rejected the appointment of Filip Turek as environment minister, citing Facebook posts deemed racist, homophobic, and sexist. Turek has apologised for some posts but denied others.

Macinka accused Pavel of violating the constitution and warned of potential consequences, including attempts to prevent the president from representing the country at an upcoming NATO summit. Tens of thousands of Czechs rallied in Prague and other cities on February 1 in support of Pavel.

Babiš has refused opposition calls to dismiss Macinka, who has not apologised. The government holds a majority in the lower house and is expected to survive the vote, although the exact timing remains uncertain. Babiš and Pavel are scheduled to meet on February 4 to discuss the issue.

Pavel swore in the new government on December 15, following Babiš’s ANO party victory in the October election and its coalition with the anti-immigration Freedom and Direct Democracy party and the Motorists party.

The coalition plans to reduce support for Ukraine and reject certain EU policies, while Pavel and the opposition remain strong supporters of Kyiv amid Russia’s full-scale invasion.

By Jeyhun Aghazada