Czech President and Prime Minister to travel separately to NATO summit amid constitutional dispute

Czech President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Andrej Babiš will fly to the two-day NATO summit in Ankara starting today on separate government aircraft from Prague-Kbely military airport, reflecting deep tensions over representation, protocol, and constitutional authority.

Pavel is scheduled to depart Tuesday morning aboard a government plane, with a briefing set for around 08:30 local time. Babiš’s official delegation – comprising the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Petr Macinka, and Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna – is set to leave shortly beforehand on another flight.

The separate travel arrangements stem from a months-long dispute that escalated in June 2026. The Babiš government initially decided on 22 June to exclude President Pavel from the official Czech delegation, arguing that the executive (led by the Prime Minister) should represent the country’s positions on defence and foreign policy. This broke with recent tradition, as Czech presidents have attended NATO summits since the country joined the alliance.

Pavel, a retired army general and former Chair of the NATO Military Committee (2015–2018), challenged the exclusion. He invoked his constitutional role under Article 63 of the Czech Constitution to represent the state abroad and filed a competence complaint with the Constitutional Court, along with a request for interim measures.

Czech President vs. Prime Minister: constitutional crisis erupts over NATO summit

On 24 June the Court issued a swift interim ruling ordering the government to facilitate Pavel’s participation, without prejudging the full merits of the case (a final ruling is pending). The government complied by accrediting the President but maintained that Babiš would lead the delegation and attend the main meetings. Pavel’s accredited entourage was reportedly limited to a small team.

Differing views and policy tensions

The rift is rooted in both personal-political rivalry (Babiš lost the 2023 presidential election to Pavel) and substantive disagreements. Key flashpoints include Czech defence spending (the country is expected to fall short of NATO’s 2% of GDP target in 2026, with ambitions to reach it from 2027 onward) and approaches to support for Ukraine. Pavel has been more vocal in supporting robust transatlantic commitments and aid to Kyiv, while the Babiš government has emphasized fiscal constraints and a more cautious stance.

Pavel has described the government’s actions as an unprecedented infringement on presidential powers and offered compromises, such as splitting attendance at high-level events. Babiš has rejected some overtures for further meetings, stating the government has fulfilled its legal obligations following the Court’s interim order.

Uncertainties over key events and protocol

What remains unclear is the precise division of roles once in Ankara:

Informal leaders’ dinner (7 July): Reports indicate the government has resisted or not fully accredited Pavel for this event.
Main North Atlantic Council session (8 July): Pavel is expected to attend the formal plenary meeting.
Family photo: With both the head of state (Pavel) and head of government (Babiš) present at the highest level, protocol for the traditional group photograph of NATO leaders is unresolved in public reporting. It is not yet clear how Czech representation will be handled or who will feature prominently.

Pavel’s office has confirmed his travel but has not released a detailed public schedule of his engagements. The government has stressed that Babiš will handle the primary representational duties.

Context and implications

This episode highlights ongoing friction between the presidency and the Babiš-led populist-nationalist coalition (including partners from SPD and the Motorists party) on foreign and security policy. It also tests the boundaries of Czech constitutional practice regarding who speaks for the country internationally.

As both leaders are proceeding to the summit, allies and observers will likely watch closely for any visible signs of discord during the Ankara gathering, which focuses on burden-sharing, defence investment targets through 2035, and support for Ukraine amid broader transatlantic dynamics.

With Suspilne, Reuters, Radio Prague International

Caption: Czech President Petr Pavel delivers a speech after appointing Miroslav Hlavac as the new Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces during a ceremony at Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, 30 June 2026. EPA/MARTIN DIVISEK