Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Czech Lawmakers Elect Far‑Right Leader Tomio Okamura Speaker With 107 Votes

The role reflects a coalition tradeoff to keep him out of the cabinet.

Overview

  • Okamura, founder of the SPD, won the speakership with backing from ANO and the Motorists, defeating Christian Democrat Jan Bartošek, who received 81 votes.
  • A court has asked parliament to lift Okamura’s immunity so it can pursue an incitement case tied to a 2024 campaign poster described as racist.
  • The ANOSPD–Motorists coalition still requires formal appointment by President Petr Pavel, whose decision is pending.
  • Hayato Okamura, the new speaker’s brother and a Christian Democrat MP, warned the choice is a security risk because of Tomio Okamura’s questioning of EU and NATO membership.
  • Outgoing interior minister Vít Rakušan condemned the move as an international disgrace, while Okamura has called for a NATO exit referendum and vowed to act impartially as speaker.