Czech President Petr Pavel files constitutional lawsuit over exclusion from NATO summit

The Czech government, led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, announced that President Petr Pavel will not be part of the Czech delegation to the NATO summit in Ankara on 7‑8 July. The cabinet said foreign‑policy representation rests with the government and that this summit will be “different” from previous gatherings.

President Pavel responded by filing a competence (constitutional) complaint with the Constitutional Court. He called the decision “unprecedented and extremely unfortunate” and argued that representing the state abroad is a constitutional prerogative of the president. In his filing he asked the court to clarify who has authority to decide presidential participation in such meetings and to prevent any administrative obstacles.

The Constitutional Court acknowledged the urgency of the case and scheduled a priority hearing before its plenary. Opposition politicians have criticised the move as a “political vendetta” and warned it could damage Czech diplomatic standing. The dispute highlights a rare clash over the division of powers between the president and the government.

Key figures: President Petr Pavel, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna and Foreign Minister Petr Macinka.