Pavel insists on leading Czech delegation to NATO summit amid dispute with PM Babiš

President Petr Pavel has informed Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO Party) that he intends to lead the Czech delegation to the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara in July, citing his constitutional role as head of state. Babiš had previously said he and Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists) should represent the country. Pavel said his participation would ensure continuity in foreign and security policy and invited Babiš to attend alongside him. Macinka criticized the move, arguing that only officials with real political power should represent Czechia abroad. The dispute comes amid broader tensions over foreign policy roles, with NATO defence spending and alliance commitments expected to dominate the summit agenda.