Czech President rejects Nominee for Habitat Minister Over Controversial Past
Prague, November 30, 2023 – Czech President Petr Pavel is facing mounting challenges in forming a new government as he expresses serious reservations about Filip Turek, nominated for the position of environment minister by incoming Prime Minister Andrej Babis. While President Pavel has previously cited Turek’s comments as a key concern, further scrutiny has revealed a pattern of questionable behavior, leading to widespread opposition to the appointment.
Most observers agree Turek, known for a collection of luxury cars and a publicly expressed aversion to the European Green Deal, is a poor fit for the environmental portfolio. “Above all, Filip Turek himself would not enjoy being at the environment ministry,” said Jindrich Sidlo, a Czech journalist and political commentator. “It’s not what he dreamed of – travelling the world, feeling that he belongs to high society and taking part in shaping history,” Sidlo told DW, adding he wouldn’t be surprised if Turek ultimately withdraws his nomination.
Concerns extend beyond policy disagreements. Turek has admitted to placing a spent rifle cartridge and a drawing of a gallows on the roof of a car belonging to an employee of the Saudi embassy following an altercation, claiming the man had been harassing his girlfriend.
Further revelations, spotted by journalists, suggest President Pavel also has concerns regarding Turek’s past actions, including allegations of speeding on a czech motorway at 200 kilometers per hour (124 miles per hour), failing to declare €3 million ($3.47 million) in property, and constructing a garage without proper planning permission.
Despite the growing controversy,some legal experts suggest President Pavel’s authority is limited once babis is formally named prime minister.”Until now, there has been consensus among constitutional lawyers and politicians that the president may express his wishes and preferences, but he must accept a candidate who has been officially proposed by the prime minister,” explained Petr Kambersky, a commentator for the People’s newspaper. “The government is formed consequently of parliamentary elections, and is accountable to parliament…the president…has no authority to decide on the government or its policies.”
The Motorists party, a key component of the prospective coalition, has stated they will withdraw from the government if turek is not included, though observers believe this threat is unlikely to be carried out.
The situation adds further pressure on Andrej Babis, who is already embroiled in a separate dispute with President Pavel regarding an unresolved conflict of interest stemming from his business activities.
Edited by: Aingeal Flanagan
