President pledges Constitutional Court move if Babiš omits him from NATO summit delegation

President Petr Pavel says if a government decision on the composition of a Czech delegation for a NATO summit in July restricts the constitutional rights attached to his role, he will take the matter to Constitutional Court. He made the comments on Thursday.

Presidents have usually represented Czechia at NATO conferences in the past. However, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš says he is not counting on Mr. Pavel being part of the country’s delegation at the summit in Turkey.

Mr. Pavel has been critical of the Babiš government’s plans for defence spending and the prime minister has said he himself would be better placed to explain Czechia’s position.

A decision on who will be included in the Czech delegation is set for June 8.