Political Dispute in the Czech Republic Over NATO Summit Attendance: Constitutional Court Rules in Pavel's Favour

An emergency ruling by the Constitutional Court has intensified the political conflict in the constitutional dispute between the President and the government. President Petr Pavel's participation in the NATO Summit in early July has therefore been secured for the time being.

The Czech Constitutional Court has ordered the government, by way of an interim injunction, to ensure the participation of the head of state in the NATO Summit in Ankara in early July amid the ongoing political dispute between the government and President Pavel. The government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must not obstruct the head of state's trip and must register Pavel as a member of the official Czech delegation with NATO and the organisers of the summit.

The ruling applies exclusively to the NATO Summit on 7 and 8 July in Ankara. The Constitutional Court will not decide on the actual constitutional dispute between the President and the government until the coming months. However, due to the approaching accreditation deadline, the Court considered urgent action necessary.

Foto: Czech President Petr Pavel

According to the judge rapporteur, Pavel Šámal, the participation of the Czech President in NATO summits is in line with long-standing constitutional practice. Until a final ruling is made in the constitutional dispute, this continuity must be maintained. The deadline for registering delegations expires on Friday, 26 June.

The Court therefore ordered that the government, the Foreign Minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must immediately inform NATO and the organisers of the summit that President Petr Pavel is part of the official delegation of the Czech Republic.

The Constitutional Court's full bench, consisting of 15 judges, will decide the constitutional dispute. Two Constitutional Court judges issued dissenting opinions against the interim injunction.

President Pavel welcomed the ruling. He said it reflects established constitutional practice and ensures the continuity of the Czech Republic's representation at NATO summits.

Babiš Calls Ruling "Absurd" – Opposition Backs the Court

Political reactions were mixed. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) initially said he respected the Constitutional Court's ruling. Later, however, he described it as "absurd" and as a step against the country's interests.

Foreign Minister and leader of Motoristé sobě, Petr Macinka, told Czech broadcaster ČT24 that the ruling amounted to an attempt at a "constitutional coup". SPD chairman and President of the Chamber of Deputies, Tomio Okamura, accused the Court of becoming a "vassal of the President".

Representatives of the opposition, on the other hand, described the ruling as the correct decision and stressed that the Constitutional Court's judgment must be respected.