Czech PM Babiš and President Pavel clash over NATO Ankara summit and defence spending

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and President Petr Pavel have been embroiled in a political dispute surrounding the Czech Republic’s participation in the NATO summit in Ankara. Babiš criticised Pavel’s presence, calling the episode “an embarrassment” and accusing the president of using the informal dinner as a stage for European security negotiations. Pavel secured his attendance only after the Constitutional Court intervened, allowing him to join the Czech delegation despite the government’s initial refusal.

The conflict has highlighted broader issues of Czech defence policy. Babiš has advocated for redirecting European funds to a continental missile‑defence system instead of continuing large transfers to Ukraine, and has announced plans to raise the defence budget to 3.5 % of GDP by 2027, suggesting the sale of state assets such as a share in Prague Airport to finance the increase. Meanwhile, coalition partner SPD questioned the Czech contribution to the U.S.-led “PURL” weapons fund for Ukraine, describing the internal disagreement as a “storm in a glass of water.”

President Pavel, speaking at the Pohoda festival in Slovakia, expressed optimism that relations with Babiš would calm once the heated period subsides, stressing the need for cooperation between the nation’s top constitutional officials.