PM Babiš urges calm as dispute grows between foreign minister and president

The ruling coalition of ANO, SPD and Motorists has no interest in a trench war between the government and Prague Castle, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said on Wednesday in response to the dispute between Foreign Minister Petr Macinka and President Petr Pavel.

Speaking at a session of the lower house, Babiš said Macinka’s messages to the president were poorly worded, but added that he understands the Motorists’ frustration over Pavel’s refusal to appoint their honorary president, Filip Turek, as environment minister. The opposition is calling on the government to at least apologise for Macinka’s remarks about the president.

On Tuesday, President Pavel said Macinka had sent him messages via adviser Petr Kolář that he considers extremely serious and amounting to blackmail. The presidential office later published the communication. The messages concern Turek’s proposed appointment, which the president has rejected.

Macinka excused himself from Wednesday’s parliamentary session due to a foreign trip to Brussels.