Czech opposition calls for speaker's resignation over anti-Ukraine New Year address
Photo: Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of Czechia Tomio Okamura (Getty Images)
Opposition parties in Czechia plan to hold a vote in the Chamber of Deputies on the dismissal of its speaker, Tomio Okamura. The reason is his New Year’s address, which contained insults directed at Ukraine, according to Ceske Noviny.
The signature-gathering process for submitting the proposal will begin next week, according to Pirate Party leader Zdeněk Hřib.
"Together with other opposition parties, the Pirates will start collecting the signatures needed to discuss his dismissal in the Chamber of Deputies next week," he said.
On January 2, the leadership of former Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s party, ODS, announced that it plans to discuss Okamura’s statements in the Chamber.
"ODS jointly initiates negotiations on Tomio Okamura’s unacceptable statements in the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic and will support a proposal for his removal," the party said in a statement.
Manipulation, intimidation, and insults
ODS considers the speaker’s address an example of "unacceptable manipulation and intimidation."
"The statement about a Third World War, which Brussels supposedly should be interested in, causes fundamental harm to the Czech Republic," party representatives said.
They also criticized Okamura for insulting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, whom he called crazy, describing it as unacceptable.
The Mayors and Independents party (STAN) plans to draft a resolution distancing itself from the speaker’s statements. Its leader, Vít Rakušan, said that Okamura’s disgraceful remarks are the responsibility of the entire government and a shame for the country.
Leader of the People’s Party, Marek Výborný, argued that Okamura’s collaborationist statements may please Russia but harm Czechia as a whole.
Deputy chairman of TOP 09, Marek Ženíšek, described the speaker’s speech as "a bucket of Russian hate."
"This contradicts all Czech interests — it is pure Russian propaganda. Wake up, for God’s sake," he said.
Background
In his New Year’s address, Okamura stated that Czech funds should not be spent on weapons purchases or supporting military actions abroad. He also criticized the West for supporting Kyiv, claiming that Ukraine’s partners profit from producing and selling weapons on credit.
Okamura referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his inner circle as a junta, questioning their legitimacy.
The controversial politician also said that Czechia "must get off the Brussels train" heading toward a Third World War, despite warnings from the United States.
In response, Ukrainian Ambassador to Czechia, Vasyl Zvarych, noted that the speaker’s statements about Ukraine represent his personal position, apparently influenced by Russian propaganda.
Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk called Okamura’s New Year address an "example of ignorance, manipulation, and cynicism," emphasizing that the speaker’s words harm Czechia and its citizens above all.
