Czech opposition seeks vote on dismissal of Chamber of Deputies speaker after his anti-Ukrainian speech
Opposition parties in Czechia are preparing a vote in the Chamber of Deputies, the lower chamber of parliament, to remove its speaker, Tomio Okamura, following his New Year's address, which contained anti-Ukrainian rhetoric.
As reported by Czech outlet České Noviny, Zdeněk Hřib, leader of the Czech Pirate Party, said the collection of signatures required to submit the motion will begin next week.
"Together with other opposition parties, the Pirates will start collecting signatures next week to open a debate on his dismissal in the Chamber of Deputies," he said.
Okamura has faced criticism from opposition parties in the chamber over his anti-Ukrainian New Year speech.
The leadership of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), led by former prime minister Petr Fiala, said on Friday that it wants Okamura's remarks to be discussed in parliament.
"ODS will jointly initiate talks on Tomio Okamura's unacceptable statements in the Chamber of Deputies of Czechia and will support a motion for his removal," the party leadership said.
According to ODS, the speech is an example of unacceptable manipulation and intimidation. "Remarks about a Third World War, which Brussels is supposedly interested in, cause fundamental harm to Czechia," ODS said. The party added that Okamura's insult towards European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, whom he called "insane", is unacceptable and stressed that the cabinet should distance itself from such remarks.
The Mayors and Independents party (STAN) also plans to prepare a resolution distancing the chamber from the statements. STAN leader Vít Rakušan wrote on X (Twitter) that Okamura's shameful remarks are a responsibility of the entire government and a disgrace for Czechia.
Marek Výborný, leader of KDU-ČSL, said that Okamura's "collaborationist statements" please the Kremlin but harm the whole country.
TOP 09 deputy leader Marek Ženíšek described the speech as "a bucket of Russian hatred".He believes that no democratic MP should tolerate this behaviour. "This is against all the interests of Czechia – it is pure Russian propaganda. For God's sake, wake up," Ženíšek said.
Responding to a question from Czech news agency ČTK about the opposition's initiative, Okamura said opposition parties have no positive issues with which they could improve citizens' living standards.
In his speech, Okamura opposed providing weapons to Ukraine.
On 1 January, Vasyl Zvarych, Ukraine's Ambassador to Czechia, called the remarks unworthy and completely unacceptable.
Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament), wrote on X that Okamura, by repeatedly insulting Ukraine and Ukrainians defending themselves against Russian aggression, now entering its fourth year, is harming and bringing shame primarily to Czechia and the Czech people. Stefanchuk also stressed that Ukrainians are deeply grateful to the Czech people and their representatives for all the assistance and support they have provided during these challenging times.