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Czech Opposition Moves to Remove Parliamentary Speaker Over Anti-Ukraine Remarks
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Opposition parties in Czechia are seeking to bring a vote in the lower house of parliament on the removal of its speaker, Tomio Okamura, following an anti-Ukraine speech he delivered on New Year’s Eve.
According to Czech news outlet České Noviny, opposition lawmakers plan to begin collecting signatures next week to formally submit a motion calling for debate on Okamura’s dismissal. The initiative was confirmed on January 2 by Zdeněk Hřib, leader of the Pirate Party.
“Together with other opposition parties, the Pirates will start collecting the necessary signatures next week to open a debate on his removal in the Chamber of Deputies,” Hřib said.
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Okamura’s remarks have also drawn criticism from other opposition groups. The Civic Democratic Party (ODS), led by former prime minister Petr Fiala, said it intends to raise the issue during parliamentary hearings and support a motion for Okamura’s removal.
“The ODS will jointly initiate talks on Tomio Okamura’s unacceptable statements in the Chamber of Deputies of Czechia and will support a proposal for his dismissal,” party leaders said, describing the speech as an example of manipulation and fearmongering.
In particular, ODS criticized Okamura’s comments suggesting that Brussels has an interest in provoking a Third World War, saying such claims “cause fundamental harm to Czechia.”
The Mayors and Independents party (STAN) also announced plans to prepare a resolution distancing the chamber from Okamura’s statements.
Party leader Vít Rakušan wrote on social media platform X that the “shameful statements” damage the country’s reputation and reflect on the entire government.
Andrej Babiš se může tvářit jako prozápadní premiér, který podporuje Ukrajinu. Výměnou za beztrestnost však umožnil instalaci takové politické kreatury, jako je Tomio Okamura, do čela sněmovny. Jeho odsouzeníhodné výroky jsou odpovědností celé vlády a bohužel ostudou celého…
— Vít Rakušan (@Vit_Rakusan) January 2, 2026
Meanwhile, Christian Democratic Union leader Marek Výborný said Okamura’s remarks resemble “collaborationist rhetoric” that may be welcomed by the Kremlin but harm Czechia.
In his New Year’s address on January 2, Okamura spoke out against providing military assistance to Ukraine, referring to the war as “absolutely meaningless” and arguing that funds should not be spent on weapons instead of supporting Czech pensioners, people with disabilities, and families with children.
Earlier, it was reported that Czech arms manufacturers are facing growing obstacles from domestic banks despite the sector’s expanding role in Europe’s defense and support for Ukraine, with smaller companies bearing the brunt of what industry figures describe as indiscriminate financial discrimination.
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