Czech culture minister Oto Klempíř dismissed Alicja Knast from her post as director of Prague’s National Gallery, generating scrutiny over what precipitated the decision.

Within the Czech Republic, the dismissal has been viewed by some as a politically motivated gesture. Knast took up the position in 2021, having been appointed to the role by Lubomir Zaoralek, a Social Democrat who was then serving as culture minister. Klempíř, a member of the right-wing Motorists party, became culture minister last year.