Government excludes President Pavel from NATO summit delegation

The government has decided not to include President Petr Pavel in the Czech delegation to the July summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The mission will be led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO), accompanied by Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna (SPD) and Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists).

Speaking after a cabinet meeting on Monday, Prime Minister Babiš said the reasons were “practical” since it is the government which decides on defense spending, which will be a central topic at the talks.

President Pavel had previously indicated that he was prepared to file a constitutional competence lawsuit if the government failed to include him in the delegation. The Presidential Office said it would release the president’s response to the decision on Tuesday morning.

The NATO summit is scheduled to take place in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7–8.