"This worries me": Even allies criticize Turek for attacks on a minister

Government commissioner for the Green Deal Filip Turek has come under fire from his own party, Motoristé sobě (Motorists), as well as from coalition partners, following a string of reckless public statements. Seznam Zprávy reports this, citing sources within the party and parliament.

The controversy began when Turek hastily spread unverified information about mustard gas and phosgene contamination in the Šumava region, and escalated after an interview with Aktuálně.cz in which Turek admitted that he had personally given instructions to Environment Minister Igor Červený regarding the Šumava pollution issue, while also publicly questioning the minister's grasp of the situation. Some colleagues have called the interview "humiliating" for the minister.

The party asks for more "collegiality"

Motoristé leader Petr Macinka reacted unusually sharply, telling his longtime friend Turek that he "needs to be more collegial in his remarks" and promising to discuss the matter with him in person. Faction leader and minister Boris Šťastný confirmed to Seznam Zprávy: "I'm quite concerned about Filip Turek's statements."

"Motoristé sobě takes pride in the competent and responsible management of the ministries entrusted to us. I don't get into the details of what's happening inside the Ministry of the Environment, but I consider it essential that this ministry be led by the properly appointed minister — not by someone else," Šťastný said, when asked whether it was appropriate for Turek to be issuing instructions to Minister Červený and publicly questioning his level of knowledge.

According to a source within Motoristé who asked to remain anonymous, Červený wanted to handle the Šumava situation himself — to show that he had identified the problem, present the findings, and demonstrate to the public that the party cares about nature. "But Filip outmaneuvered everyone again, because he needs to be the center of attention. And once again, it turned out badly," the source told the outlet.

On Friday morning, Šťastný and Macinka met to discuss the situation. MP Gabriela Sedláčková, who has long been on friendly terms with Turek, was asked whether Turek was jeopardizing Minister Červený's position and the party's place in government. She replied that this was the result of a long-unsatisfactory situation. "As for careless remarks — I admit they happen sometimes, and not just to Turek, but to any politician. It often happens because journalists catch us off guard while our minds are on a completely different topic," she added.

Other MPs are less forgiving. "Červený is about to explain everything and soften these remarks by saying Filip was relying on outdated information — and this is how he responds?" one lawmaker wondered, speaking on condition of anonymity to avoid a direct conflict with Turek.

Malá: Let the prime minister sort it out too

Until now, Macinka had publicly defended Turek. "What do they think of us now in the ANO movement? This isn't the first time — it irritates Babiš. Macinka shields him because he's loyal. But as far as I know, this interview didn't exactly please Macinka either — this can't go on," says a source close to Motoristé, adding that Turek doesn't know when to stop.

Behind the scenes, there's also talk that Macinka's inability to keep Turek in check, along with Turek's lack of professionalism, is damaging Motoristé's standing with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. Earlier this year, Babiš said he never wanted to hear Turek's name mentioned on television again — yet this week, according to available information, he was once again forced to reprimand him directly over his careless remarks.

ANO faction leader Taťána Malá also believes Turek's interview was a tactical blunder. "I hope Motoristé have noticed, and that the prime minister will respond somehow. In my view, this severely undermines the minister's position, which hardly seems appropriate. And I'll say it plainly: as a government commissioner myself, I would never have allowed myself to do something like that," she said, stressing the importance of cooperating with ministers on both a professional and a human level.

Source: seznamzpravy.cz