“You are confusing the program war, Ukraine, with the Violet government. We do not have it in the program statement. Our program is the daily life of fellow Czech citizens,” said Babiš on Monday.
He was responding to Novinek’s question whether he does not consider it important for the public to be informed about the government’s position on the topics of the security of Ukraine, Europe and the Czech Republic’s defense capability.
Babiš is invited to Tuesday’s public hearing in the Senate with the subtitle “Ukraine’s security, European security and the state’s defense capability”, together with Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček (ANO), Foreign Minister Petr Macinka, Minister of Defense Jaromír Zůna (for the SPD) and Minister of the Interior Lubomír Metnar (ANO).
“What kind of hearing, what would I do there? We can meet with the leadership of the Senate. It’s not a problem. We’ll invite them to the government and we can discuss,” Babiš responded on Monday to questions about whether he would arrive in the upper house of the parliament for an event organized on the day of the four-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine.
According to the published program, none of the ministers will come on Tuesday, they have all apologized. Some send deputies for themselves, for others the crowd is not announced. Babiš should be represented by national security advisor Hynek Kmoníček.
Regarding participation, Novinky contacted the ministers earlier. Babiš and Havlíček did not respond, Macinka is planning a trip to the USA, and Metnar said he would look for a place in the program.
Zuna first confirmed his participation to Novinka, but later the press department of his department stated that it would most likely not be possible in view of the planned Commander’s Assembly. This is organized by the Chief of the General Staff, Karel Řehka, who should appear in the Senate. President Petr Pavel is also scheduled to come to the Senate.
According to the President of the Senate, Miloš Vystrčil (ODS), the non-participation of politicians sends “a signal about how important these people are to let the public know what the situation is”, he told Novinka earlier.
Opinions on support for Ukraine vary within the government coalition, with the SPD movement in particular against it. The government’s stance on meeting NATO’s defense spending requirements is also unclear. Compared to the proposal of the previous government, this year’s planned budget of the Ministry of Defense has been reduced.
