Czech Republic Faces Political Gridlock as Anti-EU Candidate Eyes Parliament Leadership
A looming political crisis is unfolding in the Czech Republic as efforts to prevent the election of Tomio Okamura, leader of the SPD party, as head of the Chamber of Deputies falter. Okamura has repeatedly advocated for the Czech Republic’s exit from the European Union, a position that clashes with the clear preference of a significant majority of voters.
Following recent elections, Senate President Miloš Vystrčil attempted to rally support within the ODS party to resist Okamura’s potential ascent, hoping to achieve “at least something” to avert a perceived democratic setback. However, these efforts failed, largely due to the necessity of securing an agreement with Andrej Babiš, leader of the ANO movement – a prospect that currently holds no appeal for any of the established governing parties.
“I repeatedly point out that by the election of Tomia Okamura to the head of the Chamber of Deputies, there would be a flagrant denial of the majority will of voters and interests of the Czech Republic,” Vystrčil stated, emphasizing the scale of the potential misstep. He highlighted that 172 out of 200 elected deputies support the country’s continued EU membership, encompassing 80 ANO politicians alongside the 92 mandates held by the opposition bloc comprised of Together, the STAN movement, and the Pirates.
Despite this clear numerical advantage for pro-EU forces, Okamura’s election appears increasingly likely as part of a pact between ANO, SPD, and the Motorist Party, collectively holding 108 votes. Attempts to persuade ANO to reconsider, reminding them of previous statements distancing themselves from the SPD, have proven fruitless. Even a minimal agreement with Babiš – even at a parliamentary level – is currently off the table for the ODS and other outgoing government parties.
A senior official warned that Okamura’s election with the support of ANO would represent a “fundamental violation of the election promise” made by Babiš’s movement, suggesting a prioritization of personal and party interests over voter concerns. Calls from figures like Miroslav Kalousek, former chairman of TOP 09, for democratic parties to limit the SPD’s influence, even through tacit support for a Babiš-led cabinet, have been rejected by Vystrčil, who remains focused solely on preventing Okamura from assuming the parliamentary leadership.
Vystrčil underscored the significance of the Chamber of Deputies’ speaker, noting that the position is the third-highest constitutional office in the country, responsible for representing the Czech Republic on the international stage and conducting crucial parliamentary diplomacy.
Markéta Pekarová Adamová, the outgoing chairwoman of the Chamber of Deputies from TOP 09, expressed support for Vystrčil’s efforts, stating, “I see a lot of space for civil society to make it clear. I also expect future opposition leaders to put pressure on Andrej Babiš and his movement yes, so that this way does not go in the formation of the coalition.”
Acknowledging the challenging political landscape, Pekarová Adamová cautioned, “Let’s be realists.” She pointed to the recent creation of a new forum – the Summit of the Presidents of the Parliaments of the NATO Member States – and raised concerns about the potential implications of Okamura’s long-held anti-EU views being voiced on such a platform. “The head of the Chamber of Deputies is not just a machine for signatures and a management meeting,” she emphasized.
One potential avenue to disrupt Okamura’s path involves persuading liberal members within ANO, who are reportedly uncomfortable with an alliance with the SPD, to vote against him in a secret ballot. However, Lukáš Vlček, first vice-chairman of STAN, cautioned that such a move would likely further destabilize ANO’s government negotiations.
Skepticism remains high among the Pirate Party, with sources suggesting that ANO, SPD, and the Motorist Party are unlikely to seek broader consensus, believing they have sufficient votes to proceed without it.
Adding another layer of complexity, allegations of self-serving motives surrounding Babiš have surfaced. One analyst noted that Babiš’s primary concern is avoiding legal repercussions related to the “Stork’s Nest” affair, and that the alliance with the SPD and the Motorist Party may be strategically aimed at maintaining political immunity.
