Overview
- The president released messages he said came from Petr Macinka that warned he would “burn bridges” unless Filip Turek was made environment minister and cited backing from the prime minister and SPD.
- Pavel asked security services and lawyers to assess whether the messages constitute criminal extortion, with findings still pending.
- Prime Minister Andrej Babiš publicly supported Macinka, saying the exchange was not blackmail and urging both sides to cool tensions.
- Macinka rejected the allegation as ordinary political negotiation, accused Pavel of overstepping constitutional powers, opposed Pavel leading the NATO summit delegation, and denied linking L‑159 aircraft sales to Ukraine to the dispute.
- The clash stems from Pavel’s refusal to appoint Turek—criticized for past racist and homophobic posts—with some opposition politicians calling for Macinka’s resignation.