Government approves constitutional amendment regarding deployment of troops abroad

The government has approved an amendment to the constitution allowing for greater flexibility in the conditions for sending Czech military troops abroad, the Czech News Agency has reported. The amendment gives the Cabinet the power to send troops abroad without the prior consent of Parliament, if it is a matter of protection of life and health, endangerment of property, or the security of the Czech Republic.

The Defence Ministry drafted the proposal in response to a resolution after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in which the Cabinet concluded that the current wording of the constitution did not allow for enough speed and flexibility in responding to crises.