Speaker of Czech Chamber of Deputies orders to remove Ukrainian flag from building

Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies Tomio Okamura orders to remove the Ukrainian flag from the Czech parliament building

Removing the flag as a political gesture

Newly elected Speaker of the Lower House of the Czech Republic, Tomio Okamura, ordered to remove the Ukrainian flag from the facade of the building of the Chamber of Deputies.
According to him, «it's a certain symbol».
This flag has been flying as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's large-scale invasion.

The political context and Okamura's position

Tomio Okamura is the leader of the right-wing populist party Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD). He has a reputation for pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian statements:

• advocated the review of all residence permits for Ukrainians in the Czech Republic.

• claimed that Ukrainians «take jobs away from Czechs» and put pressure on the housing and healthcare systems.

As the Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, he has gained considerable power and can influence the direction of foreign policy and attitudes towards Ukraine.

Consequences and reactions

The removal of the flag provoked criticism both within the Czech Republic and from the Ukrainian and European media.
Experts point out that this may signal a change in Prague's policy towards Ukraine and support for the EU.
At the same time, Okamura's supporters believe that this is a symbol of a return to the Czech Republic's «national interests» and a reduction in external obligations.