MPs approve state of emergency until end of May

On Tuesday afternoon, the Chamber of Deputies approved a government request to extend the state of emergency in the Czech Republic until May 31st. Opposition parties abstained from the vote.

The government said that that the legal instrument needed to be extended in order for Ukrainian refugees to get accommodation via regional assistance centres. The state of emergency is also necessary for immediate purchases of essentials, says a government paper.

The opposition ANO party proposed extending the state of emergency for a shorter 30 day period instead.

The coalition government has a comfortable majority in the lower house.