President Pavel names new cabinet, stresses stability, NATO and EU responsibility
President Petr Pavel has appointed a new Czech government. In his address, Pavel warned that the cabinet is taking office at a turbulent moment marked by international tensions and domestic expectations. He urged ministers to provide stability at home while acting as constructive members of NATO and the European Union.
President Petr Pavel on Monday appointed a new Czech government, bringing to a close the cabinet-formation process following October’s parliamentary elections. Speaking at Prague Castle, the president said he was satisfied that the government had been assembled within the agreed timetable and in line with public expectations.
“I am very pleased that today we are concluding the process of forming and appointing a new government,” Pavel said, adding that the process had been completed by 15 December, as agreed with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.
Formation followed standard constitutional practice
According to the president, the process of forming new government followed established constitutional customs, both in terms of timing and overall conduct. He also highlighted that he had held individual meetings with all but one future ministers before their appointment. These discussions, he said, focused on policy priorities as well as on how ministers intend to lead their respective departments. Drawing on nearly three years in office, Pavel said he had shared his own views on the challenges facing individual portfolios.
The president stressed that such consultations were a standard and useful part of the process, allowing both sides to clarify expectations before the ministers formally took office.
Taking office in turbulent times
Pavel made clear that the new cabinet is assuming power at a particularly demanding moment. He described the current period as turbulent, shaped not only by global security concerns and economic uncertainty, but also by fast-moving political developments abroad that will inevitably affect the Czech Republic.
According to the president, the government will face high expectations not only in foreign policy, but also in how it shapes the domestic political climate. In times of uncertainty, he said, citizens are looking to political leaders for reassurance, stability and a sense of direction.
For that reason, Pavel urged the new cabinet to pursue an approach that seeks to unite society rather than deepen divisions. He said the country needs consistency, a clear vision and a degree of hope that people can relate to in their everyday lives.
NATO, the EU and democratic safeguards
The president also placed strong emphasis on the Czech Republic’s international orientation. He underlined that national interests cannot be separated from the country’s membership in key international organisations, particularly NATO and the European Union.
Pavel said Czech security and prosperity are directly linked to these alliances. Without NATO membership, he argued, the country would not be safer, and without EU membership it would lack economic stability and long-term prosperity.
For that reason, he called on the government to approach international cooperation with a strong sense of responsibility. Rather than positioning itself as a critic on the margins, Pavel said the Czech Republic should act as a constructive and reliable partner that is able to voice reservations while also offering solutions.
While acknowledging that disagreement with decisions taken in Brussels or within NATO structures is sometimes inevitable, the president stressed that such disagreements should be accompanied by concrete proposals aimed at improving policies in the interest of Czech citizens.
Pavel also signalled that he would closely monitor the government’s commitment to democratic standards at home. As one of the guarantors of constitutionality, he said he would pay particular attention to the independence of public service media, the judiciary, public prosecutors and the security services—institutions he described as pillars of public trust in the state.
The new government is led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and is supported by a coalition of ANO, SPD and the Motorists parties. The cabinet has sixteen members, including four deputy prime ministers, combining returning figures from previous governments with several newcomers.
One of the key figures shaping the government’s international stance will be the new foreign minister, Petr Macinka (Motorists), who also became deputy prime minister. This is how he summarized new government's priorities:
"Priority number one is restoring above-standard relations with our neighbors,restoring the confidence of the Czech representation in Brussels regarding Czech national interests. And the last priority is to to keep the diplomacy a bit more behind the scenes. So it means that we should communicate only when some results are achieved. In other words, less PR, more negotiations."
Turek remains a sticking point between president and new government
Asked about domestic issues, Petr Macinka mentioned he hopes the government will be complete, including his party colleague Filip Turek as environment minister, by mid-January, when the cabinet seeks a confidence vote in parliament. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Macinka said he would like Turek to take over the environment ministry by 13 January.
Until then, the post is being handled on an interim basis by Macinka himself, who was appointed foreign minister earlier on Monday. President Petr Pavel named the new government without Turek, citing concerns about his suitability for the role.
Turek has not yet met the president due to health reasons and underwent a planned medical procedure on Monday. Macinka said he was prepared to continue leading both the foreign and environment ministries for as long as necessary if Turek is unable to assume the post by mid-January.
President Pavel has previously indicated that Turek’s appointment is unlikely, citing controversies surrounding past racist and homophobic social media posts, which Turek has partly apologised for and partly denied authoring. Additional criticism has focused on his asset declarations and reports that he threatened an employee of the Saudi embassy several years ago.
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