PRAGUE - Prague Castle - The President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, in an extensive interview for the news server iDNES.cz, openly commented on the current domestic and foreign policy situation. He spoke about his relationship with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and Foreign Minister Petr Macinka, about the results of the latest NATO summit, about the war in Ukraine, the development of the Czech political scene, and about the possibility of running for a second presidential term. The interview was marked by calls for dialogue, but also contained sharp criticism of some steps taken by the current Czech government.
The President stated that, despite long-standing criticism and personal attacks from some high-ranking politicians, he is willing to cooperate with them. According to him, personal disputes should not overshadow the interests of the Czech Republic. He emphasized that constitutional officials have a responsibility to seek common solutions regardless of political differences. "If it is necessary to act in the best interest of the Czech Republic, I am prepared to work with everyone," said the President. He added that performing the presidential function requires the ability to communicate even with political opponents, even though relationships may be very strained.
Petr Pavel devoted a significant portion of the interview to evaluating the latest NATO summit. In his opinion, the Czech Republic did not achieve its goals in the discussions among allies. He even used the expression that the country suffered a "diplomatic beating," highlighting the weakening of Czech credibility among alliance partners. The President pointed out that trust from allies is not taken for granted. It is built over many years through consistent foreign policy, fulfilling commitments, and predictable behavior. However, if a state sends ambiguous or contradictory signals, it can very quickly lose its reputation. He described credibility as one of the most valuable diplomatic assets of any country.
Another important topic was the quality of Czech democracy. The President expressed concerns about the growing polarization of society and the level of public debate. According to him, political conflicts are increasingly turning into personal conflicts that distract attention from solving the real problems of citizens. Pavel emphasized that democratic institutions can only function if there is respect for constitutional rules, the independence of individual institutions, and fundamental principles of the rule of law. He warned that a long-term weakening of these values could lead to a loss of trust among citizens in the functioning of the democratic system.
In the interview, the President also commented on the ongoing war in Ukraine. He reiterated his belief that the security of the Czech Republic is closely linked to the security of all of Europe. Therefore, according to him, supporting Ukraine remains an important part of Czech foreign policy. The conflict represents not only a regional war but also a fundamental clash over the future shape of European security arrangements. The President recalled that the current security situation requires close cooperation among democratic states and a long-term strategy that will not be subject to short-term political interests.
The conversation also turned to Member of the European Parliament Filip Turek, whose popularity has increased significantly in recent months. Pavel acknowledged that the Czech political scene is undergoing a transformation and that voters are looking for new political personalities and alternatives to traditional parties. At the same time, he emphasized that every public figure should be held accountable for their statements and contribute to fostering constructive public discourse. The President declined to speculate on specific election scenarios, but reminded everyone that the citizens of the Czech Republic will always have the final say.
The possibility of defending his presidential term was also raised. Petr Pavel stated that it is too early to talk about a possible candidacy for a second term. According to him, the decision will depend on a number of circumstances, primarily his health, the development of the political situation, and whether he believes he can continue to benefit the country. He emphasized that he is currently focused on performing his duties and addressing current problems in the Czech Republic. Premature election campaigns distract from actual work.
At the end of the interview, the President once again called for maintaining dialogue between different political representatives. He reminded that democratic politics is not based on personal sympathies, but on the ability to find compromises and make decisions in the best interests of society as a whole. According to Petr Pavel, the Czech Republic faces a number of significant challenges – from the security situation in Europe to economic problems and maintaining public trust in state institutions. Therefore, it is all the more important to maintain stability of the constitutional system, respect democratic rules, and conduct an open dialogue even in situations where there are fundamental differences of opinion between political leaders.
The interview with President Petr Pavel offers not only a glimpse into current political events, but also his vision of what role the Czech Republic should play in the international arena. At the same time, it presents his view on the state of Czech democracy, the functioning of state institutions, and the future direction of the country in a period of growing domestic and foreign challenges.
iDNES.cz /gnews.cz