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Less than a day after becoming Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, Tomio Okamura of the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party ordered the removal of the Ukrainian flag from the parliament building. The flag had flown there since the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022 as a symbol of solidarity with Ukraine. Soon after it was taken down, deputies from the Civic Democrats (ODS), Mayors and Independents (STAN) and the Pirate Party hung new Ukrainian flags from their club windows in protest. Former Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová of TOP 09 called Okamura’s action “a disgraceful gesture” against Ukraine and Czech values. STAN leader Vít Rakušan and ODS deputy leader Martin Kupka also condemned the move, saying it trampled solidarity and Czechia’s pro-Western orientation.

Okamura said on Czech Television that his party had promised only Czech flags would fly on public buildings, and that he was fulfilling that pledge. He added he had “nothing against Israel,” but the Chamber’s leadership may later discuss whether to keep the Israeli flag, which was raised after the Hamas terror attack in October 2023.

Newly elected Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies Tomio Okamura, leader of the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, has ordered the removal of the Ukrainian flag from the parliament building. The flag had flown there since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 as a symbol of solidarity with the attacked country. Former Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová of TOP 09 called the move “a disgraceful gesture” against both Ukraine and the values shared by Czechia. Leaders of the former government parties, including Vít Rakušan (Mayors and Independents), Martin Kupka (Civic Democratic Party) and Marek Výborný (Christian Democrats), condemned Okamura’s decision, describing it as an act that undermines solidarity and the country’s pro-Western orientation. Alongside the Czech and EU flags, the Israeli flag continues to fly on the building — raised in October 2023 after the Hamas terror attacks.

As expected, the Czech National Bank (ČNB) has left its key interest rate unchanged at 3.5 percent, where it has stood since early May. The decision, announced by ČNB spokesperson Jakub Holas, aligns with market expectations. Governor Aleš Michl will explain the move and present a new macroeconomic forecast at a press conference this afternoon. The bank also maintained the lombard rate at 4.5 percent and the discount rate at 2.5 percent. After holding the base rate at 7 percent during the inflation wave, the central bank began cutting rates in December 2023, most recently lowering them by a quarter point in May.

A new geological survey by the state-owned company Diamo has revealed that deposits near Zlaté Hory in northern Moravia contain almost 11 tonnes of gold—five times more than previously estimated. The find is valued at nearly 30 billion crowns, though only part of it could be mined profitably. Gold mining in Czechia ceased more than 30 years ago, but rising global prices and recent survey results have revived debate about resuming extraction. Local authorities, however, remain firmly opposed to reopening the mines.