In the discussion programme Partie on CNN Prima News, broadcast on 27 September 2026 from Prague, Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Motorists party Petr Macinka said that his party had no intention of giving up the Ministry of the Environment.[1][2] He added that he had no indication of any change within the coalition.[1] He was responding to a video posted the same day on social media by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO).[1][3]*

Babiš's video

In the video, Babiš said that people were writing to him about the environment ministry. According to him, he had received 2,000 emails on the subject demanding that the ministry be taken away from the Motorists.[1][2] "I have always replied to you. But when you send me 2,000 emails on one topic saying I should take the Ministry of the Environment away from the Motorists," Babiš said, adding that it was beyond his power to answer everyone.[1] He added: "Apparently I handed over nature conservation to the Motorists. Please, there are elections, there is a coalition."[1]

Macinka's response

Macinka stated: "I have absolutely no intention of giving up the Ministry of the Environment."[1][2] According to him, losing this ministry would be unacceptable for the Motorists, and any change would require amending the coalition agreement.[1] The Ministry of the Environment is headed by Igor Červený of the Motorists.[1][2][3] Macinka said that representatives of non-profit organisations that had lost their subsidies were writing to the Prime Minister, and he referred to them as the "green mafia," "quasi-religious militias," "green parasites," "aggressive green fundamentalists," and "unnecessary and dangerous structures."[1][2][3] He claimed that these organisations "disguise themselves and pass themselves off as citizens" and have been running a campaign against the Motorists from the outset.[1][2][3] At the same time, he said that the ministry was "doing a good job" in protecting the environment and that nature was not being destroyed.[1][3]

Criticism from experts and the opposition

According to available reports, the Motorists' actions at the ministry and the personnel changes have been criticised by environmental experts, who speak of the ministry being thrown into disarray, and criticism has also come from the opposition.[1][2][3] MEP Alexandr Vondra (ODS) said he considered it correct that the Motorists had reduced support for activists, but that he was bothered by their stance against wind turbines, which he called nonsensical.[1][2][3] "That competence is really weak. And I'm not surprised that the Prime Minister is getting authentic voices, not just from some activists," Vondra said, adding that he also hears criticism from ornithologists.[1][2][3] According to him, representatives of the ministry should be negotiating funds within the European Union to help adapt to climate change.[1][3]

Chronology

  • — Motoristé chairman Petr Macinka said that his party will not give up the Ministry of the Environment. ČTK / České noviny iROZHLAS

Sources

  1. ČTK / České noviny — 27 September 2026
  2. Blesk.cz — 27 September 2026
  3. Deník.cz — 27 September 2026