News

President Petr Pavel will meet ANO party leader and likely future prime minister Andrej Babiš at Prague Castle on Wednesday to discuss the program of the emerging coalition government of ANO, the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, and the Motorists. Pavel also plans to ask Babiš about his steps to resolve a potential conflict of interest related to his ownership of the Agrofert holding. The president has emphasized that the new government must uphold Czechia’s commitments to the EU and NATO, respect international law, and protect democratic institutions, media independence, and human rights.

The European Commission has classified Czechia among EU countries experiencing a “significant migration situation” because of the large number of refugees from Ukraine. In its first annual report on migration and asylum, the Commission said Czechia may therefore request an exemption from the EU solidarity mechanism. The Czech Ministry of Interior now said it would send an official letter requesting the exemption, as Czechia continues to host almost 400,000 refugees from Ukraine. Outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Civic Democrats) said the Commission’s report confirmed in that Czechia does not have to accept or fund migrants, despite claims by the ANO and the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) parties. Interior Minister Vít Rakušan (Mayors and Independents) added that Czechia still has the highest number of Ukrainian refugees per capita in the EU.

President Petr Pavel has once again called on the outgoing cabinet of Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Civic Democrats) to submit its draft state budget for next year to the newly elected Chamber of Deputies. Speaking at the end of his visit to the Karlovy Vary region, Pavel said the proposal must be debated and adjusted so that the country avoids operating under a provisional budget. Fiala said the government will decide in the coming days whether to resend the draft. The emerging coalition of ANO, the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), and the Motorists parties plans to rework the proposal while keeping the 286-billion-crown deficit unchanged.

The Czech Chamber of Deputies opened its second session on Tuesday afternoon following October’s general election, focusing mainly on internal matters. During the session, Patrik Nacher of the ANO party was appointed first deputy speaker, a decision made by chamber head Tomio Okamura of the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party. Nacher will represent Okamura in his absence and chair key meetings, including those of the organizational committee. Jiří Barták of the Motorists’ party serves as the other deputy speaker. Two remaining posts are expected to be filled on Friday, with Jan Skopeček of ODS and Olga Richterová of the Pirates vying for election.