Babiš wants to reconcile president and foreign minister after accusations of blackmail attempt

The Czech government is not interested in a conflict with the country's president Peter Pavel, who the day before reported an attempt to blackmail one of the ministers. This was announced by the Czech Prime Minister during a speech in the Chamber of Deputies Andriy Babish, commenting on the conflict between Pavel and the country's Foreign Minister Peter Macinka, quotes Česká noviny.

The Prime Minister said that the messages from the Foreign Minister were poorly worded. On the other hand, he understands the disappointment of the Automobilists that Philippe Turek was not appointed Minister of Environmental Protection. Babish recalled that he was initially proposed for the post of Foreign Minister. He emphasized that the task of politicians is to calm the situation, not to aggravate it.

"I am convinced that disagreements between constitutional figures should be resolved through negotiations and dialogue behind closed doors, not at press conferences," the prime minister said.

He added that he had invited the president and the head of Czech diplomacy to a joint meeting. However, he received information from the president's entourage that he did not want to negotiate with Macinko, but only with the prime minister.

If the president refuses to have a joint meeting, Babiš said he is ready to meet with him and clarify the differences. This should happen after Pavel returns from vacation.

According to Babiš, the current method of public debate does not help the Czech Republic and diverts attention from the real problems that need to be solved. He mentioned, for example, security, economic growth, competitiveness, and energy prices. Public debates take time and energy, the Prime Minister added.

At the same time, the opposition is demanding that the Babiš government at least apologize for Macinko's statements to the president.

• On January 27, 2026, Pawel announced that the head of the Automobilists party and Foreign Minister Macinka tried to blackmail him about the appointment of the Minister of Environmental Protection. The foreign minister replied that he was not blackmailing him but negotiating.