Reactions mixed to president’s New Year’s speech

Czech politicians and political scientists offered largely mixed reactions to the New Year’s address by President Petr Pavel, who sought to strike a unifying tone after a polarising election year. Foreign Minister Petr Macinka of the Motorists' party welcomed the president’s conciliatory message but criticised his broad praise of civil society. The Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party said it appreciated Pavel’s good wishes to the new ANO–SPD–Motorists government, while calling the speech overly general and lacking concrete solutions. Political scientists said Pavel avoided day-to-day politics but indirectly challenged the government by portraying Czechia as prosperous and safe. Analysts noted his emphasis on civil society echoed former president Václav Havel, while aiming to calm emotions in a divided society.