Thousands rallied in about 400 Czech towns, including Brno, to back President Petr Pavel after he refused to appoint a controversial environment minister whose social-media posts were described as racist and homophobic. The dispute pits Pavel against Foreign Minister Petr Macinka, leader of the Euroskeptic Motorists For Themselves party, who accuses the president of breaching the constitution. Protesters say the coalition government threatens democratic norms by shifting policy away from support for Ukraine and changing public-broadcaster funding.
Thousands Rally Across Czech Republic in Support of President Pavel Amid Showdown With Foreign Minister
People demonstrate in support of Czech President Petr Pavel in Pardubice, East Bohemia, Czech Republic, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (Josef Vostarek/CTK via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Thousands of Czechs gathered in roughly 400 towns, including Brno, on Sunday to express support for President Petr Pavel as he faces a public clash with Foreign Minister Petr Macinka over a contested ministerial appointment.
Organizers from the Million Moments For Democracy group said the weekend demonstrations followed tens of thousands who protested in Prague two weeks earlier.
What Sparked The Dispute
The immediate flashpoint is Pavel’s refusal to appoint Filip Turek as environment minister after a daily newspaper published Facebook posts from Turek’s account that were described as racist, homophobic and sexist. Turek has apologized for some posts and denied authoring others.
Macinka, who leads the right‑wing, Euroskeptic Motorists For Themselves party, has accused the president of breaching the constitution and warned of consequences if Pavel does not appoint his ally. Pavel has accused Macinka of attempting to blackmail him.
“This is no longer just about the president,” said organizer Mikuláš Minář. “It is time to make it clear that we are not Hungary or Slovakia — and that we will not let a group of oligarchs, extremists and thugs steal our country’s future.”
Political Context
Pavel swore in a new government on Dec. 15 led by populist Prime Minister Andrej Babiš after his ANO (Yes) movement performed strongly in October and formed a majority coalition with two smaller parties, the Freedom And Direct Democracy party and the Motorists.
The coalition has signalled plans to pull back from support for Ukraine, reject some European Union policies and alter how public broadcasters are financed—moves critics say could undermine media independence and democratic norms.
Pavel, a retired army general, has been a firm supporter of Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion, a stance that contrasts with the new cabinet and with more pro‑Russian governments in Hungary and Slovakia. Protesters framed the rallies as a defense of democratic values and European solidarity as the standoff between the president and his foreign minister continues.
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