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Czech PM BabiΕ‘ apologizes for picking flowers in national park

17 August 2026 at 10:06

Czech Prime Minister Andrej BabiΕ‘ apologized Sunday for picking flowers in a protected area on LysΓ‘ hora, a mountain in eastern Czechia, saying he would pay a fine if necessary.

BabiΕ‘ said in a Facebook video that he plucked the flowers while remembering a late colleague from his ANO movement with whom he had previously climbed the mountain.

β€œMaybe I broke some law, for which I apologize and I will definitely pay a fine if necessary, of course,” he said.

Footage from Saturday’s hike posted to Babiő’ Facebook page showed the prime minister climbing with a small bunch of flowers before laying them at a monument on the summit. BabiΕ‘ was joined by two ministers, ANO politicians and supporters on the 1,324-meter peak, the highest point in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids.

An environmental expert working for an organization overseen by the Czech Environment Ministry told Czech local media outlet iDNES that BabiΕ‘ had picked two thoroughly ordinary species β€” narrow-leaved willowherb and Fuchs’ ragwort β€” and was unlikely to face punishment.

β€œThey are completely common flowers,” said the expert, whom the outlet did not name. β€œAbsolutely no problem, not even in a national park.”

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