PRAGUE (AP) — Tens of thousands Czechs rallied Sunday in the capital and elsewhere to throw their weight behind President Petr Pavel in his dispute with the country’s 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: “Long Live Pavel.”
Pavel’s 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.
Pavel said that Filip Turek was ineligible 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’s 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 Andrej Babiš over the issue on Wednesday.
Pavel swore in a new government on Dec. 15 after Babiš and his ANO, or YES, movement won big in the country’s October election 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 Russian invasion.
Small rallies supporting Pavel took place in several other places across the country.
People gather in support of Czech President Petr Pavel at the Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (Ondrej Deml/CTK via AP)
People gather in support of Czech President Petr Pavel at the Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (Ondrej Deml/CTK via AP)
MADRID (AP) — Kylian Mbappé came through for Real Madrid again, converting a penalty kick 10 minutes into stoppage time to salvage a 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano and move Madrid back within a point of Spanish league leader Barcelona on Sunday.
Vinícius Júnior also scored for Madrid after again being jeered by fans early on at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Jude Bellingham, also booed when the lineup was announced, had to be replaced 10 minutes into the match because of an apparent left hamstring injury.
Madrid was coming off a 4-2 loss at Benfica that dropped the team out of the eight automatic spots for the round of 16 of the Champions League. It will face Benfica again in the playoffs.
“We came from a tough defeat, one that nobody ever wants, in the Champions, a competition many of us aspire to win," Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde said. “We wanted to change that image, today we had the first opportunity, and I think we played a great game.”
It was a thriller at the Bernabeu on Sunday, with Mbappé giving Madrid the victory by coolly converting the last-gasp penalty for his eighth goal in five matches.
The result allowed Álvaro Arbeloa's side to keep pace with Barcelona, which won 3-1 at Elche on Saturday.
“It was a victory in which the players put a lot of energy, their soul,” said Arbeloa, who took over after replacing Xabi Alonso last month. “We needed the help of the fans and without their push we would not have achieved it.”
The boos toward Vinícius were subdued after he scored a superb goal in the 15th minute. The Brazil international cleared a couple of defenders before curling a right-footed shot into the top corner.
Rayo, which played a man down from the 80th after Pathé Ciss was sent off with a straight red card for a hard foul, equalized with Jorge De Frutos in the 49th.
Vallecano, which threatened at times at the Bernabeu, also saw Pep Chavarría shown a second yellow in the final minutes of added time.
Bellingham was on his own when he seemed to pick up the left leg injury. He immediately grabbed the back of his leg with his left hand before going to the ground. He received medical assistance and seemed emotional as he left the field under his own power.
The England international was replaced by Brahim Díaz, who five minutes later set up the Vinícius goal that made it 1-0 for Madrid. Díaz also prompted the foul of the penalty converted by Mbappé.
Mbappé had missed an open net in the 68th, hitting the crossbar after getting past the goalkeeper.
With the game tied 1-1 in the 64th, Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois came up with a crucial save on a one-on-one following a Rayo breakaway.
Rayo, which has lost four straight in all competitions, had lost only one of its last five games against Madrid in the league. It dropped to 17th place, just outside the relegation zone.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, center left, heads for the ball during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, left, tries a shot during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe tries a shot during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
