Czech MPs approve stricter asylum and migration rules

The Czech Chamber of Deputies has passed a bill tightening asylum and migration regulations, aiming to improve oversight of applicants and speed up procedures. Inspired by the EU’s migration pact, the bill now heads to the Senate. An amendment allows the state to deny temporary protection to Ukrainian refugees already registered in another EU country. Another clause permits cancelling the stay of foreigners repeatedly committing serious offences. The bill passed with support from the ruling coalition MPs. Opposition ANO and Freedom and Direct Democracy parties voted against it, rejecting the EU pact’s migrant-sharing plan. The Pirate Party abstained from voting.