President says he will lead Czech delegation to NATO summit

President Petr Pavel said that as head of state he would lead the Czech delegation to the NATO summit, not just be a member of the team as implied in the government’s statement. Mr. Pavel also told reporters that he himself would decide which events he would participate in during the summit.

The government failed to include President Pavel in the Czech delegation when it approved its composition on Monday, saying he had a different stand on the country’s defense policy than the government, which has executive powers.

In response, the president filed a constitutional competence lawsuit with the Constitutional Court which issued a preliminary injunction ordering the government to ensure Pavel’s participation in the summit while the dispute is being considered.