Foreign minister faces calls to resign over security prank

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists) has come under fire after it emerged that he had allowed himself to be lured by internet pranksters into an interview in a cellar studio that contained mock weapons and explosives. The minister moreover sent his bodyguard away and spent 40 minutes in the studio alone with a masked interviewer. The incident reportedly took place in August and the group has now released a video of the security prank.

Macinka said on Facebook that he had known the interview was a hoax. Opposition Civic Democrat leader Martin Kupka, however, questioned on X whether Macinka could remain in office, pointing out that the foreign minister is a protected person and has access to classified intelligence. He called on Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) to demand Macinka’s resignation.