Czech minister Macinka weighs attending president-prime minister meeting on UN agenda

Minister Macinka acknowledged receiving an invitation to a Monday gathering with President Pavel and Prime Minister Babiš, yet he remains undecided and will first discuss the invitation with Babiš. The meeting, slated for Wednesday by the presidential office, is intended to synchronize Czech foreign policy, especially the president’s upcoming attendance at the UN General Assembly in New York. Both Macinka and Pavel are set to travel to New York, with the president heading the delegation approved in June and aircraft cleared in August.

Relations between the president and Babiš’s government have been tense, highlighted by a clash over the failure to appoint Motorist MP Filip Turk as environment minister and a dispute over who should lead the Czech NATO summit delegation in Ankara. Despite these frictions, Macinka described current ties as stable and noted the upcoming meeting will follow a recent ceremony involving the coronation jewels from the Crown Chamber of St. Vitus Cathedral.