New Czech Parliament: Pro-Russian Speaker and Domestic Political Shifts
Significant political developments have taken place in the Czech Republic concerning the formation of its new parliament and leadership.
During the session of the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Parliament, a politician with pro-Russian leanings, Tomio Okamura, was elected as speaker.
His candidacy gained support from 107 out of 197 deputies, while his opponent from the People’s Party, Jan Bartošek, received 81 votes.
Following the vote, Okamura expressed gratitude for the trust and pledged to work collaboratively.
Meanwhile, the current government of Petr Fiala is expected to submit its resignation the following morning, marking a new phase in the country’s political landscape.
The new speaker’s stance raises particular interest, as he is known for his open pro-Russian views, despite having previously expressed strong anti-Russian sentiments.
Before the elections, he emphasized that a key condition for his party’s coalition entry was reviewing the residency permits of Ukrainians in the Czech Republic.
Concerns escalated due to the surge of Ukrainian refugees following Russia’s invasion, which has worsened housing availability and healthcare services.
Okamura condemns Ukrainians for allegedly taking jobs and reducing Russian gas supplies and advocates for the immediate removal of Ukrainian flags from government buildings.