PM cancels Paris trip after filibustering blocks vote

Prime Minister Petr Fiala on Wednesday cancelled a trip to Paris following lengthy obstruction in the Czech lower house. Mr. Fiala had been due to discuss the situation in Africa with France’s President Macron and other EU leaders. However, he decided to remain in Prague after MPs from the Freedom and Direct Democracy party again blocked a vote on the government’s Pandemic Law by filibustering all through Tuesday night.

A spokesperson said that Mr. Fiala would go ahead with a planned visit to Brussels on Thursday.

Last week the Senate vetoed the Pandemic Law, which will give the government broader powers to enforce Covid restrictions.