Babis Calls Czech President’s NATO Visit a “Disgrace”

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis sharply criticized President Petr Pavel’s participation in the NATO summit in Ankara, calling the trip a “disgrace” in a video posted on social media. He also claimed that foreign partners had asked the Czech delegation why the president was attending.

Babis pointed to a photograph from the summit showing him seated in the front row as head of the Czech delegation, with Pavel behind him. He said the president had taken the seat intended for Foreign Minister Petr Macinka and would otherwise have been seated at the back. He also accused Pavel of “allowing himself to be manipulated like a puppet”.

The prime minister further claimed that Pavel had unsuccessfully sought bilateral meetings with the presidents of France, South Korea and Ukraine, as well as the German chancellor and the NATO secretary general.

The dispute over Pavel’s attendance had lasted for several months. The government initially excluded him from the delegation, prompting the president to file a competence lawsuit challenging the decision. The Constitutional Court later issued an interim order requiring the government to ensure his participation.

Babis led the Czech delegation in Ankara, while Pavel attended the summit as one of its members.

As recently as Saturday, Pavel expressed hope that relations with the prime minister would improve. Babis, however, has refused to resume regular meetings between the country’s senior constitutional officials, arguing that foreign and security policy is primarily the responsibility of the government.

(echo24, bak)