President Pavel says PM Babiš should decide whether he wants Turek in the cabinet

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) should himself decide whether he wants to nominate the Motorists party candidate Filip Turek to the post of environment minister, President Petr Pavel told reporters ahead of Monday’s meeting with the controversial nominee.  Pavel said his reservations about Turek are so serious that the prime minister himself should take them into account, adding that the composition of the cabinet is mainly the prime minister’s responsibility.

Turek has come under fire for allegedly posting racist, sexist, and homophobic statements on social media, along with references to Adolf Hitler. Following Monday’s meeting with the president Turek said he was uncertain of the result but was grateful that he had been given a chance to explain cerain things and put them into context.

President Pavel said earlier that he is willing to meet with Turek, but expressed doubt that such a meeting would change his view that Turek is unsuited to hold any ministerial post.

The Environment Ministry, which Turek aspires to head, is being temporarily managed by Foreign Minister Petr Macinka from the same party.