Filip Turek & Petr Macinka: The Political Showman & His Puppet

Former Czech President Miloš Zeman met with Foreign Minister Petr Macinka and Climate Policy Envoy Filip Turek, both of the Motorist party, in Lány on Saturday, according to a report by the Czech News Agency (ČTK).

Macinka told ČTK the meeting was important for the emerging political generation to learn from experienced politicians. Zeman stated the discussion centered on the priorities of the ANO, SPD and Motorist parties, as well as the proposed state budget with a deficit of 310 billion crowns.

Macinka described the visit as friendly, emphasizing the value of dialogue with former presidents possessing decades of political experience. “It was a very enriching meeting for me,” he said.

Zeman, in a Facebook post, indicated his support for changes to improve the Czech foreign service, and reaffirmed the importance of quality relations with neighboring countries and the assertive defense of Czech national interests. He also expressed hope that Motorist representatives would shift focus from green policies and climate ideologies towards genuine environmental protection.

The meeting occurred amidst growing political tensions surrounding Filip Turek’s potential appointment as Minister of the Environment, a nomination currently blocked by President Petr Pavel. Macinka is currently serving as acting Minister of the Environment while Turek awaits a decision.

The situation escalated following reports of text messages from Macinka threatening retaliatory measures if Pavel continued to refuse to appoint Turek, prompting a vote of no confidence in the government scheduled for next week. Despite calls for Macinka’s dismissal from the opposition, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) has refused to remove him, characterizing Pavel’s concerns as an attempt at blackmail, according to reports.

Macinka is scheduled to travel to the United States to demonstrate his connections to individuals associated with Donald Trump, according to a report from January 30, 2026.

The meeting with Zeman comes after Macinka’s controversial appearance at the Munich Security Conference, where his debate on the democratic nature of the European Union with Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton drew criticism from opposition parties. Tomio Okamura, leader of the SPD, and Filip Turek publicly defended Macinka’s performance, according to ČT24.

Macinka, speaking after the Munich debate, described it as one of the most lively panel discussions at the conference, stating, “It’s important not to be dull, but to stir up some energy.” He intends to continue the discussion with Sikorski during a visit to Warsaw on Monday.