Deputies debate security priorities in lower house

Deputies resumed a debate on security in the lower house of Parliament on Wednesday. The debate was called by the ruling coalition which slammed ANO leader Andrej Babiš for undermining the government’s foreign policy and presenting a security risk through his “pacifist“ statements on the war in Ukraine.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the opposition party should make it clear whether it stands with the free West or with Putin.  Interior Minister Vít Rakušan accused Babis of using fear marketing to win political support ahead of the European elections.

While the opposition ANO party has consistently backed all of the government’s initiatives in support of Ukraine - military, financial and humanitarian - its leader has increasingly started talking about the need to support peace negotiations.

The ruling coalition wants to propose a resolution identifying vital priorities for Czechia's security, such as membership in the EU and NATO, the need to contain Russian imperialism and, subsequently, the need to support Ukraine.