Petr Pavel Will Not Attend Municipal Elections, Eva Pavlová…

Petr Pavel Will Not Attend Municipal Elections, Eva Pavlová Faces Criticism

07.10.2026 15:01 HotInfo

President Petr Pavel will not participate in the upcoming municipal elections. Prague Castle confirmed that his foreign vacation will continue even during the voting period. According to an earlier announcement, the president will not return until the second half of the election term, and will therefore not cast his vote. novinky.cz ↗

The decision has provoked criticism from politicians and political scientists alike. Experts fault the president for failing, as head of state, to pay sufficient attention to the significance of the elections and the possible consequences of his absence. According to political scientist Lubomír Kopeček, the president mishandled the situation communicatively and failed to think through its impact. denikn.cz ↗

First Lady Eva Pavlová also entered the public debate, defending her husband. She pointed out that the date of the municipal elections is set by law and citizens cannot influence it. However, her statement likewise provoked critical reactions. Some politicians and experts fault her for getting involved in political debate despite not holding an elected office. idnes.cz ↗

Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar rejected criticism of the election date as well as proposals that the electoral system should be changed because of the president's vacation. He stated that voting rules will not be adjusted to fit the presidential couple's schedule. Criticism of Pavlová was also rejected by some government and opposition politicians. forum24.cz ↗

Prague Castle has so far not changed its decision. According to confirmed information, the president will therefore not attend the municipal elections. The debate is now focused primarily on the political accountability of the head of state and the way the presidential office explained his absence to the public. zpravy.aktualne.cz ↗