Pavel: Turek’s controversies probably more than media inventions

President Petr Pavel said he does not believe the controversies surrounding Filip Turek, the Motorists’ nominee for environment minister, are merely media fabrications. Speaking to reporters during his trip to Hungary, Pavel stated that Turek’s behavior and attitudes toward the law are “incompatible” with a high public office.

Pavel added that he is willing to hear Turek out, but finds it hard to imagine anything that would change his view, which he says is shared by a large part of the Czech public. He has repeatedly expressed reservations about appointing Turek to the ANO–SPD–Motorists government.

Turek has been criticized for racist and homophobic posts. He has apologized for some statements, denying authorship of others.