The President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, will appoint Igor Červený as the new Minister of the Environment on Monday 23 February 2026. This will bring to an end several weeks of personnel uncertainty surrounding the leadership of the ministry, which is one of the most sensitive areas of current government policy. The candidate was proposed by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš after political negotiations within the government camp.
The President met with Červený at Prague Castle on 19 February, where together they discussed his ideas for the management of the Ministry and the main environmental challenges facing the Czech Republic. According to the presidential office, the discussion focused on nature protection, water and land management, climate change and the state's preparedness for its impact. The issue of European legislation and the ETS1 and ETS2 emission systems was also raised. The President also called on the future Minister to base his advocacy for change on expert analysis and realistic negotiating options at EU level.
Replacement for the rejected candidate
Červený became a candidate only after the President refused to appoint the original nominee, Filip Turko, whom he had previously refused to appoint as Foreign Minister. The government was looking for a compromise solution that would allow it to stabilise the leadership of the ministry. Until now, the ministry has been led only by a government appointee, which has complicated long-term decision-making in the energy and climate protection sectors.
The new minister is a political novice. He was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 2025 and has so far profiled himself mainly in economic and public debates. His nomination represents an effort by the government to bring a stronger political focus on the economic impacts of environmental measures to the department.
A critical look at climate action
Červený has long drawn attention to the impact of European climate policy on industry and households. In particular, he criticises the expansion of the emission allowance system and stresses the need for a realistic pace of energy transformation. He also supports the development of nuclear power as a stable source of low-emission electricity generation.
His nomination is therefore provoking mixed reactions. While supporters appreciate the emphasis on the economic sustainability of environmental measures, critics point to his limited experience in managing the environmental agenda and fear a weakening of the Czech Republic's climate commitments.
Key weeks for the resort
Červený will subsequently take over the management of the ministry at a time when the state is dealing with the shape of the energy transformation, landscape protection and communication with the public when declaring large-scale protected areas.
His first steps will be watched not only by domestic political parties but also by the European institutions, because it is now that decisions are being taken on the practical setting of climate rules for the coming years.
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