MPs may not vote on increase in fees for Czech Television and Czech Radio on Friday

The Chamber of Deputies may not vote on Friday on the controversial increase in television and radio fees, according to information obtained by ČTK. The lower house resumed the discussion of the government amendment at 10:00 instead of the usual 09:00, after the parliamentary groups discussed the next steps. According to the coalition’s original plans, the deputies were set to vote on the form of the bill this afternoon. However, the opposition parties still have the opportunity to thwart this plan, and the general debate has not yet begun.

According to inside information, the Chamber of Deputies could decide on a fixed date for voting on the amendment, but it will likely not be set for Friday. The final round of parliamentary discussion of the amendment on fees for Czech Television and Czech Radio has been blocked by the opposition ANO party and the Freedom and Direct Democracy party for four days. The MPs only got to the bill itself on Wednesday at an extraordinary meeting, which the ruling coalition had convened. The amendment would increase the fee for Czech Television by fifteen crowns to 150 crowns per month and for Czech Radio by ten crowns to 55 crowns per month. The fee is to be extended to devices capable of receiving broadcasts via the internet, not just television and radio receivers. However, the principle of one payment per household will be maintained.