Czech political circles erupted into fierce debate after Petr Macinka used derogatory language regarding female hockey players during a televised appearance on Sunday.
Appearing on Prima’s Partie Terezie Tománkové, Macinka made controversial remarks about the upcoming domestic tournament, dismissing women’s ice hockey and referring to Russian players with an insulting term.
The remarks immediately drew sharp condemnation from fellow panelist and former foreign minister Jan Lipavský, who labeled the statements as chauvinistic nonsense right there in the studio.
Clips of the broadcast rapidly circulated across social media platforms, igniting a wave of backlash that stretched across both opposition ranks and members of the governing coalition.
Nazývat jakékoliv sportovkyně „mužatkami“ není odvaha ani názor. To je od @petr_macinka jen projev arogance a jeho pocitu nadřazenosti. A také nebezpečné přesvědčení, že on sám je něco víc. Respekt k druhým by měl být samozřejmostí.”
TOP 09 issued a public statement on social media demanding that Macinka immediately step down from his post as foreign minister.
European Parliament member Danuše Nerudová took to X to denounce the comments, writing that Macinka once again proved his party has a problem with women, describing the remarks as sexism and backward thinking that shames the entire country.
Petr Macinka by měl okamžitě rezignovat. Druhá možnost je, že ho premiér Babiš odvolá, ale to nemůžeme od tak slabého premiéra čekat. https://t.co/paris7U3de
That sentiment was echoed by STAN deputy chair Michaela Šebelová, who argued that Czech female hockey players represent the nation with far more dignity than Macinka manages in government.
ANO parliamentary club leader Taťána Malá also condemned the rhetoric on social media, stating that insulting sportswomen demonstrates arrogance and a dangerous sense of superiority rather than courage or political opinion.
Petr Macinka znovu ukázal, že Motoristé mají se ženami problém. Sexismus, buranství a myšlení zaseknuté v minulém století. Co by bylo trapné i u hospodského stolu, je v podání ministra zahraničí ostudou celé země.
Attempting to smooth over the controversy, sports minister Boris Šťastný praised female athletes for their dedication, hard work, and performance in traditionally male-dominated sports, though he stopped short of directly reprimanding his political colleague.
STAN leader Vít Rakušan publicly dismissed the sports minister’s statement as mere alibism, noting the absence of any clear rebuke directed at the party leader.
