Czech PM steps in to cool tensions between foreign minister and president

The Czech government has no interest in a political “trench war” with the Presidency, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said on January 28 during a session of the Chamber of Deputies, amid tensions between Foreign Minister Petr Macinka and President Petr Pavel.

Babiš described Macinka’s messages to the President as “unfortunately phrased” but expressed understanding for the Motorists party’s frustration over Pavel’s refusal to appoint their honorary president, Filip Turek, as Minister of the Environment, Caliber.Az reports via Czech media.

Opposition parties, however, have called on the government to at least apologise for Macinka’s remarks.

The row began after President Pavel revealed that Macinka had sent messages via his adviser Petr Kolář, which the President considered “extremely serious” and an attempted form of pressure. Macinka’s messages concerned Turek’s appointment, which Pavel rejected. Macinka has since apologised to the Chamber for missing its session due to a trip to Brussels.

Babiš said that even in private communication, ministers should use language that does not appear aggressive. At the same time, he acknowledged the Motorists’ disappointment with the President’s interpretation of the Constitution regarding Turek’s nomination. The Motorists initially sought to place Turek as Foreign Minister before adjusting their proposal to the Environment Ministry.

“The task of politicians is to calm situations, not escalate them,” Babiš told deputies. He added that disagreements between constitutional bodies should be resolved through closed-door dialogue rather than public press conferences.

He also said he had invited both Pavel and Macinka to a joint meeting, although the President reportedly prefers to meet only with the Prime Minister. Babiš indicated he was willing to meet Pavel after his return from holiday if necessary.

Macinka has denied that his communication with the President’s adviser amounted to blackmail, saying it was an attempt to influence the President’s stance – a standard part of political negotiation.

Babiš warned that public spats detract from pressing issues such as security, economic growth, competitiveness, and energy prices.

Opposition calls for apology and Macinka’s removal

Opposition leaders rejected Babiš’s characterisation of Macinka’s remarks as merely “unfortunate.” STAN leader Vít Rakušan called for an apology to the President and for the Chamber to debate a formal apology on behalf of the government. ODS, TOP 09, and KDU-ČSL leaders demanded Macinka’s dismissal, criticising his alleged pressure on the President.

Deputies ultimately voted down all opposition motions, with the ANO, SPD, and Motorists coalition opposing the proposals.

Babiš’s approach drew criticism from the opposition for failing to clarify whether he supported Macinka’s conduct or distanced himself from it. Piráts leader Zdeněk Hřib urged the Prime Minister to remove Macinka, calling him a “blackmailer unfit for government.”

Rakušan added that Macinka appeared more focused on helping Turek secure a ministerial position than assisting citizens, and that Babiš’s attempt to run the state like a company allowed such behaviour to continue under his authority.

By Aghakazim Guliyev