Tens of thousands rallied in Prague and other cities to back President Petr Pavel after he refused to appoint Filip Turek, a nominee from the right‑wing Motorists For Themselves party, following revelations of offensive Facebook posts. Turek has apologized for some posts and denied others. Foreign Minister Petr Macinka says Pavel breached the Constitution; Pavel calls the demand blackmail and will meet Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. The standoff highlights a broader clash between Pavel’s pro‑Ukraine stance and a new coalition seeking to shift EU and Ukraine policy.
Tens of Thousands Rally in Prague to Back President Pavel in Clash Over Cabinet Nomination
People gather in support of Czech President Petr Pavel at the Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (Ondrej Deml/CTK via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
PRAGUE — Tens of thousands of Czechs packed Prague’s Old Town Square on Sunday, with overflow crowds watching speeches at nearby Wenceslas Square, to show support for President Petr Pavel amid a public dispute with the country’s foreign minister.
Many demonstrators waved Czech, Ukrainian and European Union flags, held up posters featuring the popular president and carried banners reading “Long Live Pavel.” Smaller solidarity gatherings also took place in towns across the country.
The confrontation centers on Pavel’s refusal to appoint Filip Turek as environment minister. Turek was nominated by the right-wing, Euroskeptic Motorists For Themselves party, led by Foreign Minister Petr Macinka. Pavel said a national newspaper published Facebook posts from Turek’s account that were openly racist, homophobic and sexist, making him ineligible for the cabinet post.
People gather in support of Czech President Petr Pavel at the Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (Ondrej Deml/CTK via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Turek has apologized for some of the posts but denied authoring others. Macinka has accused President Pavel of violating the Constitution and warned of consequences if his preferred nominee is not installed. Pavel has described the demand as an attempt at blackmail and said he will meet Prime Minister Andrej Babiš on Wednesday to press the issue.
Pavel swore in a new government on Dec. 15 after Babiš and his ANO (Yes) movement fared strongly in the October election and formed a majority coalition with two smaller parties: the anti-migrant Freedom and Direct Democracy party and the Motorists. That coalition has signaled plans to shift Czech policy away from strong support for Ukraine and to challenge several key European Union positions.
By contrast, President Pavel — a retired army general — has been an outspoken supporter of Ukraine in its defense against the Russian invasion. The dispute over the environment minister nomination has become a focal point for wider tensions between the presidency and the new government over foreign policy direction and democratic norms.
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