Final Word from Thursday, January 8, 2026
Pres. Petr Pavel followed through on his threat yesterday by stating clearly through his office that he will reject PM Andrej Babiš's nomination of MP Filip Turek of the Motorists as environment minister. Turek's party will now react, but it isn't clear how, although Moto Chair Petr Macinka did say that it won't lead to the breakup of the coalition. The ANO-led government could of course respond by squeezing the budget of the Castle or rescinding the appointments of ambassadors who have already been approved, but this could look petty and come back to haunt the government. More effective could be if the coalition followed through on its own threat to "preserve the independence" of Czech TV and Czech Radio. As Moto sees it, the public stations are supposed to provide balanced and professional news coverage, not broadcast a narrow scope of views. Requiring ČT and ČRo to start acting within the law would deprive Pavel of his biggest platform of one-sided support and wouldn't be petty at all. [ Czech Republic opposition mainstream media ]
Glossary of difficult words
to take the gloves off - to be ready to act in an uncompromising or ruthless way;
to rescind - to revoke, cancel or repeal (a law, order or agreement);
petty - unduly concerned with trivial matters, esp. in a small-minded or spiteful way;
to come back to haunt someone - to cause problems for someone in the future.