Ministers say it is time to discuss resubmitting the 2026 budget

Following the election of Tomio Okamura of the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party as speaker of the lower house, ministers say it is time for the government to decide whether to resubmit the draft 2026 state budget. Transport Minister Martin Kupka of Civic Democrats (ODS) and Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný (Christian Democrats) said the decision must be collective. The previous draft budget with a 286-billion-crown deficit expired with the outgoing parliament. The government is meeting today mainly to discuss its resignation after the ruling coalition lost the October parliamentary elections.