Okamura orders removal of Ukrainian flag, opposition responds with new banners

Less than a day after becoming Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, Tomio Okamura of the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party ordered the removal of the Ukrainian flag from the parliament building. The flag had flown there since the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022 as a symbol of solidarity with Ukraine. Soon after it was taken down, deputies from the Civic Democrats (ODS), Mayors and Independents (STAN) and the Pirate Party hung new Ukrainian flags from their club windows in protest. Former Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová of TOP 09 called Okamura’s action “a disgraceful gesture” against Ukraine and Czech values. STAN leader Vít Rakušan and ODS deputy leader Martin Kupka also condemned the move, saying it trampled solidarity and Czechia’s pro-Western orientation.

Okamura said on Czech Television that his party had promised only Czech flags would fly on public buildings, and that he was fulfilling that pledge. He added he had “nothing against Israel,” but the Chamber’s leadership may later discuss whether to keep the Israeli flag, which was raised after the Hamas terror attack in October 2023.