Czechs overwhelmingly see government-president dispute as a problem, poll shows

Poll shows widespread concern

A Kantar survey for Czech Television, conducted from 18 May to 5 June among 1,200 respondents, found that 50% of Czechs see the dispute between the government and President Petr Pavel as a serious problem, while 32% call it a minor problem. Only 10% see no problem at all and 7% are unable to judge. The perception is sharper among people over 30 and those with a high school diploma or higher, said Kantar.cz analyst Nikola Stárková. Voters of all opposition parties rate the row as a serious problem more often than government supporters, yet half of the latter still consider it serious.

Government and president at odds over NATO delegation

At issue is the composition of the Czech delegation to the July NATO summit in Ankara. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has stated that the president should not be part of it. Finance Minister Alena Schillerová insists that the prime minister will lead the delegation and that the president is not being prevented from traveling. The cabinet decides on the final list on 22 June. Pavel, a former chairman of the NATO Military Committee who has attended every alliance summit since taking office, has readied a competence lawsuit should he be excluded.

The president is really not prevented from anything.

As a more serious problem it is perceived by people over 30 and people with a high school diploma or higher education. The disputes are seen as a serious problem mainly by voters of all opposition parties, while government voters perceive them to a lesser extent, though about half still assess them as serious.

Political reactions intensify

Former prime minister Petr Fiala called the situation an embarrassment, arguing that the country is sending a signal of uncertainty about its representation shortly before the summit. Foreign Minister Petr Macinka countered that the president has no mandate to negotiate at the NATO table. Speaker Tomio Okamura of SPD also said he opposes Pavel’s participation. Opposition figure Vít Rakušan claimed the decision has already been made and Pavel will not go, accusing the government of leading the country in a strange direction.

Instead of discussing how Czechia should contribute to Europe’s defence and security, we are dealing with who will sit at the table for us.

Legal route gains support

The survey also found that roughly half of those asked would support clarifying the matter through a competence lawsuit at the Constitutional Court. Schillerová dismissed that idea as nonsense, questioning how a court could order the cabinet to let the president board a plane. The dispute now awaits the government’s decision on 22 June.