Political tensions rise as opposition calls no-confidence vote

Political tensions between the governing parties and the opposition escalated as the opposition moved forward with a no-confidence vote despite admitting it lacks the numbers to bring down the cabinet. Civic Democrats leader Martin Kupka said the move was a necessary response to what he described as unacceptable behaviour by Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (for Motorists), tolerated by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO party leader). He said the issue went beyond Macinka’s text messages to President Petr Pavel, which he labelled as blackmailing, and reflected the broader governing style of the ANO–SPD–Motorists’ coalition. ANO dismissed the vote as opposition tactics aimed at blocking parliamentary work, though it acknowledged the opposition’s democratic right to call it.