Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has barred President Petr Pavel from attending the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, highlighting a significant power struggle within the country’s leadership.

The conflict arises from Babiš’s desire to attend the NATO summit alone, a departure from previous practices where the president would accompany the prime minister. Pavel, a former military officer with extensive experience in NATO, has traditionally led Czech delegations at such meetings, a role he has previously shared with former Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

Critics, particularly from the opposition, accuse Babiš of harboring petty grievances against Pavel, stemming from the president’s past refusals to endorse certain ministerial appointments and his criticisms of the government’s defense budget. This situation reflects deeper issues regarding who controls Czech foreign policy, rather than mere personal rivalry.

The matter is now set to be resolved by the Czech Constitutional Court, which will determine the legality of Babiš’s decision. For NATO, it is crucial to avoid conflicting national perspectives at the summit, suggesting that Babiš’s stance may have procedural merit, even if it raises concerns about the defense budget.