Czech President Petr Pavel said on Tuesday, January 27th that he is considering filing a criminal complaint against Foreign Minister Petr Macinka, accusing him of behaviour that could amount to blackmail.
Speaking at a press conference, Pavel said Macinka had sent two text messages via a presidential adviser which he described as “extremely serious.” The messages have been handed to security services and to the president’s lawyers for legal assessment.
According to Pavel, Macinka suggested that the president would “have peace” only if he agreed to appoint Motorists’ Party nominee Filip Turek as environment minister, warning otherwise of severe political consequences.
Pavel has repeatedly refused to appoint Turek, citing his past controversies, including alleged racist and anti-gay social media posts.
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš defended his foreign minister, calling the messages “unfortunate” but rejecting claims of blackmail.
In a social media post, Babiš said the exchange was private and urged both sides to calm tensions and resume normal communication.
Opposition parties have demanded Macinka’s dismissal, with several seeking an urgent parliamentary debate. The dispute comes against the backdrop of a deepening rivalry between the Europhile president and the recently formed sovereigntist right-wing government. which has already clashed with Pavel over foreign policy, including the coalition’s refusal to sell Czech military aircraft to Ukraine.
