SPD to vote against special long-term residency for Ukrainians

Ministers from the Freedom and Direct Democracy party will vote against a government regulation that would allow Ukrainian refugees to apply for special long-term residency in the Czech Republic this year. Speaking ahead of a coalition council meeting of ANO, SPD and the Motorists, SPD leader and Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Tomio Okamura said the party opposes what it sees as preferential treatment for some foreigners.

“No foreign nationals should have simplified conditions for obtaining long-term residence permits in the Czech Republic compared to others,” Okamura said. “Everyone must meet the standard requirements. There should be no exceptions.”

He added that the coalition is working on tightening residency rules for all foreign nationals in the country. Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar is expected to submit the relevant legislation by May at the latest.