Okamura’s remarks cause concern, Pavel to discuss issue with PM Babiš

President Petr Pavel said remarks by lower house speaker Tomio Okamura have caused concern at home and abroad and that he will raise the issue with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, leader of ANO Party. Writing on X, Pavel criticised statements from Okamura’s New Year address in which the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party leader attacked military aid to Ukraine and used derogatory language about Ukrainian leaders. Ukraine’s ambassador to Prague Vasyl Zvaryč condemned the comments as offensive and influenced by Russian propaganda. Czech opposition parties are now seeking a parliamentary vote on Okamura’s removal as speaker.