A city mayor in the Czech capital of Prague has resigned after confirming that he will serve a three-month prison sentence for violating his probation over disorderly conduct and harassment charges.
Pavel Novotný stepped down as mayor of the Řeporyje district in southwestern Prague on Monday during a city council meeting, where his successor, deputy mayor David Roznětinský, was elected to lead the district until the next local elections.
Novotný, a member of Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s Civic Democratic Party (ODS), is set to serve time for violating the terms of a suspended sentence previously handed down for disorderly conduct, incitement to commit a crime, and the harassment of a businessman.
On May 7, a court ruled that his suspended sentence would be upgraded to a custodial sentence following the breach of his probation conditions.
Novotný initially filed a complaint against the decision that was later rescinded.
“I have decided to take responsibility,” said Novotný, who also suspended his membership of ODS amid criticism from party leadership.
Roznětinský praised his predecessor’s efforts, stating, “Our common interest is Řeporyje so that the projects we started and for which both of us worked up a sweat in some way are completed.” He acknowledged that Novotný was a polarizing figure but said his work for the district was significant. “We made a school, we made a kindergarten, we made a skatepark,” he noted, crediting Novotný’s drive for securing city funds for local projects. “Pavel simply had the courage. Maybe I would say that he put his neck on the line a bit too generously.”
Řeporyje is a small district with fewer than 5,000 residents, according to the 2021 census.
Novotný had served as mayor since 2018.
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