President to meet with PM on Wednesday over rift in relations with head of diplomacy

President Petr Pavel has invited Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) to talks at Prague Castle on Wednesday to discuss the rift in relations with Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists), the Presidential Office announced. Early this week the president accused the foreign minister of trying to blackmail him into appointing Filip Turek environment minister and made public several text messages sent to him by the head of diplomacy. Petr Macinka has rejected the claim, saying that the messages were part of “legitimate political negotiations”.

Prime Minister Babiš welcomed the invitation to Prague Castle. He said he would consider it ideal for the president to discuss the matter directly with Mr. Macinka, but added that he respects President Pavel’s approach. The two officials are also expected to discuss foreign policy matters after the cancellation of foreign policy consultations at Prague Castle this week.