PM says Senate’s rejection of Pandemic Law “important feedback“

Prime Minister Petr Fiala has expressed disappointment over the Senate’s rejection of a government-proposed amendment to the Pandemic Law, adding that the decision was “important feedback“ for the Cabinet. He said the Cabinet would meet to consider its a future steps in the matter. Health Minister Vlastimil Valek, who failed to convince the upper chamber to support the bill, said the government may have to ask for a state of emergency in order to protect high-risk groups of the population against Covid. The amended law would have given the government greater powers in enforcing restrictions without the need for a state of emergency.

The bill was rejected by 32 out of 61 senators present, including senators from the governing parties who proposed the legislation and pushed it through the lower house. According to its critics, part of the draft is in violation of the Constitution. The Chamber of Deputies can still override the Senate's veto. President Miloš Zeman has already said he is prepared to sign it.