Neither the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová (TOP 09), nor the President of the Senate, Miloš Vystrčil (ODS), will attend the award ceremony at the Castle, not to mention Zeman’s attitudes toward Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Friday, they announced this on social media. The President of the Constitutional Court, Pavel Rychetský, also refused to attend.
Even the President of the Constitutional Court, Pavel Rychetský, will not go to the Castle because of Zeman. “I will not go there. I do not consider it acceptable for me to participate in an event organized by President Zeman,” he mentioned.
Zeman has long been known as a supporter of Russia. Many government politicians say his statements have played into the hands of Vladimir Putin’s regime, whether it was the Novichok case or the explosion in Vrbětice.
Last Thursday, after Russia launched its invasion, he admitted he was wrong. He called for much stronger sanctions against Russia than had been planned, including restrictions on banking. He also expressed full support for Ukraine, its leadership, and its people.