Archive · 1 Feb 2026
Czechs rally for president in Nazi salute row
A lot of people in the Czech Republic gathered in Prague to show their support for their president, Peter Pavel.
The president is in a disagreement with the government because he doesn't want to let a man named Filip Turek become a minister.
Turek has done some things that are not good, like making a Nazi salute and posting pictures of Nazi things.
The president says the government tried to pressure him into accepting Turek, but the government says they were just negotiating.
The people who protested waved flags and said they support the president and Ukraine, and they don't like the current government.
The president has asked a special agency to look into the messages he says were sent to threaten him.
Tens of thousands of Czechs protested in Prague to support President Peter Pavel, who refused to approve Filip Turek's nomination as environment minister due to Turek's Nazi salute and memorabilia.
Protesters waved EU and Czech flags, expressing support for the president, Ukraine, and opposition to the current coalition government.
President Pavel accused Foreign Minister Petr Macinka of sending threatening messages, which Macinka denied, calling it typical political negotiation.
The protest was organized in response to Pavel's public dispute with the government over Turek's nomination, with organizers estimating 80,000 to 90,000 attendees.
Further protests are planned in other Czech towns on February 15, as the political rift between the president and the government continues to escalate.
- Who
- Czech citizens, President Peter Pavel, Foreign Minister Petr Macinka, Prime Minister Andrej Babis, Filip Turek
- What
- A protest in support of President Peter Pavel over a dispute with the government regarding the nomination of Filip Turek, who made a Nazi salute, as environment minister
- When
- February 1, 2024, with another protest planned for February 15, 2024
- Where
- Prague’s Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, with planned protests in other Czech towns
- Why
- President Pavel refused to approve Turek’s nomination due to his controversial actions, leading to a public dispute with the government
- Protest Size
- 80,000 to 90,000 people
- Protest Location
- Prague’s Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square
- Controversial Figure
- Filip Turek
- President's Name
- Peter Pavel
- Foreign Minister's Name
- Petr Macinka
- Prime Minister's Name
- Andrej Babis
- Coalition Parties
- ANO, Motorists, SPD
- Next Protest Date
- February 15