In contrast to his work in Brussels, “at home, he was paradoxically a bit late to respond” to the energy crisis two years ago, said Dębiec, the analyst, prompting the prime minister’s office to take control of efforts to rein in soaring bills. Electricity prices — closely linked to gas supplies — rose more in the Czech Republic than in any other EU country in early 2022.

At the same time, he will be “perhaps remembered most” at home for backing the state takeover of Czech gas pipeline operator Net4Gas, Dębiec said. While Síkela claimed the move was “economically advantageous” and would ensure energy security, the acquisition of the “highly indebted and economically non-competitive [firm] remains controversial,” he added.

An aide to Síkela told POLITICO that the minister’s response to the energy crisis had been “as swift as possible” and included replenishing the country’s gas reserves and imposing a price cap on energy supplies for households and companies.

Moreover, the state investment into Net4Gas had the “undeniable” effect on improving the Czech Republic’s energy security, they added.

Still, not everyone has been so critical. 

Síkela “had very solid contact” with Czech businesses when he drafted policies, said Radek Špicar, vice-president for economic policy and export at the country’s Confederation of Industry, something that may now serve him as he travels with delegations of EU firms across the world.