PRAGUE (AP) 鈥� Tens of thousands Czechs rallied Sunday in the capital and elsewhere to throw their weight behind in his dispute with the country鈥檚 foreign minister.
The demonstrators packed the picturesque Old Town Square and some others had to gather at nearby Wenceslas Square where they watched the speeches on big screens.
Some waved Czech, Ukrainian and European Union flags, while others displayed posters with the popular president and banners that read: 鈥淟ong Live Pavel.鈥�
Pavel鈥檚 refusal to appoint a government minister representing the right-wing Motorists for Themselves Euro-skeptic party, which is led by Foreign Minister Petr Macinka, is at the core of the dispute.
to become the environment minister after a daily published posts from his Facebook page found to be openly racist, homophobic and sexist.
Turek apologized for some posts, but denied that he posted some others.
Macinka accused the president of violating the country鈥檚 Constitution and threatened him with facing consequences if he fails to appoint his controversial associate.
Pavel countered that he considered that a blackmail attempt and is planning to meet populist Prime Minister over the issue on Wednesday.
a new government on Dec. 15 after Babi拧 and his ANO, or YES, movement and agreed to form a majority coalition with two small political groups, the Freedom and Direct Democracy anti-migrant party and the Motorists.
The coalition has on its agenda to steer the country away from supporting Ukraine and reject some key European Union policies.
Unlike the new government Pavel, a retired army general, is a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its fight against the
Small rallies supporting Pavel took place in several other places across the country.
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