Okamura’s words harm the Czech Republic, says Senate speaker Vystrčil

Senate Speaker Miloš Vystrčil (Civic Democratic Party) has criticised lower house Speaker Tomio Okamura for remarks made in his New Year’s address that triggered diplomatic tensions with Ukraine. Speaking to Czech Radio, Vystrčil said Okamura, leader of the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, is failing to act impartially, as he promised after his election, and is instead using the office for personal and party gain. He stressed that the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies represents the Czech Republic first and must respect the country’s foreign policy strategy and differing views in parliament.