The Czech opposition wants to dismiss the speaker of the parliament because of Ukraine

Opposition parties in the Czech Republic have begun preparing a voting procedure in the Chamber of Deputies on the resignation of the leader of the SPD (Freedom and Direct Democracy) movement from the post of speaker Tomio Okamura because of his criticism of aid to Ukraine. This is reported by the Ceske Noviny portal.

We are talking about the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), the party "Elders and Independents" (STAN), the Czech Pirate Party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU-CSL) and the party "Tradition. Responsibility. Prosperity" (TOP 09).

"The ODS will jointly initiate negotiations on the unacceptable statements of Tomi Okamura in the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic and will support the proposal for his resignation," the party leadership said.

They called Okamura's speech an example of unacceptable false manipulation and intimidation. The Cabinet of Ministers should distance itself from these statements, since it bears the greatest responsibility for foreign policy, the party believes.

STAN Chairman Vit Rakushan also wrote on the social network X that Okamura's statements are the responsibility of the entire government and a shame for the Czech Republic.

"I want our club to prepare a draft resolution in which the Chamber of Deputies as a whole distances itself from his statements. Let those who elected him to senior positions show what their real support for Ukraine is," he said.

In his New Year's speech, Okamura criticized the supply of weapons to Ukraine and opposed Kiev's membership in the EU.

"I believe that our republic will break off the Brussels train, which, despite the warnings of the US government, is heading for World War III," he said. The speaker also mentioned "Ukrainian thieves from Zelensky's entourage" who "build toilets out of gold." "Let them steal, but not from us," Okamura stressed.

In early November, the day after his election to the post of speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament, Okamura instructed to remove the Ukrainian flag from the building, which had been hanging there since February 2022 in solidarity with Kiev. "The Czech Republic is in the first place. Wish us good luck!" he wrote on social networks.

In December, Okamura stressed that "no money from Czech citizens will be spent on the purchase of weapons, ammunition and support for the war in Ukraine."

With the coming to power of the new government, the Czech Republic will reduce military assistance to Ukraine, switching to humanitarian support, former MEP Filip Turek believes.

"The new government will adhere to its obligations to NATO and international law. But it will make diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine and reduce the risks of conflict in Europe a priority," RBC quoted him as saying.