Rallies back Czech president in minister row

Tens of thousands of people marched in Czech cities in a show of support for President Petr Pavel after he refused to approve the nomination of an environment minister who performed a Nazi salute and posted Nazi memorabilia. Organizers said 80,000–90,000 people packed Prague’s Old Town and Wenceslas squares; police closed streets but gave no official estimate. Many demonstrators waved EU and Czech flags, carried signs reading “We stand with the president,” voiced support for Ukraine and voiced opposition to Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s eurosceptic coalition.

The standoff intensified after Pavel accused Foreign Minister Petr Macinka of using an aide to send text messages warning of “consequences” if the president continued to block the controversial nominee, Filip Turek, a member of Macinka’s Motorists party. Turek has acknowledged making a Nazi salute and posting memorabilia, saying his actions reflected bad taste rather than ideological sympathy, but critics say the conduct disqualifies him from high office.

Speakers at the rallies praised Pavel’s pro-EU, pro-Ukraine stance and his background as a former NATO general, framing his resistance as a defense of democratic norms, transparency and responsible governance. Protesters and some opposition parties argued the president’s refusal signaled moral leadership and public accountability; government figures countered that disagreements with the head of state remained within constitutional bounds and warned against politicizing the largely ceremonial presidency.

Analysts said the demonstrations reflected broader public frustration—over rising living costs, public services and political infighting—not just the nomination row. The confrontation has highlighted differing visions for Czech leadership: Pavel’s public, accountability-focused style versus the government’s insistence that elected ministers and parliament hold primary responsibility for policy. Diplomatic observers warned that visible tensions between president and cabinet could complicate coordination with allies.

Pavel thanked supporters for peaceful demonstrations and reiterated calls for dialogue and institutional respect while standing by his objections. Organizers said further rallies are planned in other towns, signaling sustained public pressure if the dispute continues. The unfolding dispute over the nomination has thus escalated from an internal government conflict into a broader test of political norms and public sentiment in the Czech Republic.