Babiš rules out sacking foreign minister Macinka, praises cooperation

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, the ANO party leader, said he is not considering dismissing Foreign Minister Petr Macinka of the Motorists' party, adding that cooperation with him is excellent. Babiš said opposition parties and the media are trying to destabilise the governing coalition, but will not succeed. The ANO-led government, together with the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party and the Motorists' party, is expected to face an opposition no-confidence vote over text messages sent by Macinka to Petr Pavel, which the president described as attempted blackmail. Macinka rejects that interpretation.