Tomio Okamura, Czech Chamber of Deputies Speaker, Advocates Immediate Cancellation of Temporary Protection for Ukrainians
Czech Chamber of Deputies Speaker Tomio Okamura advocates for the immediate cancellation of temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees, citing their «excessive numbers.» Opposition ODS leader Martin Kupka called this outrageous, noting that 400,000 Ukrainians help the Czech Republic avoid the EU migration pact.
Tomio Okamura, leader of the Czech «Freedom and Direct Democracy» (SPD) party and Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, stated he would immediately cancel temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic, citing their «excessive numbers» and citizen complaints. He believes Ukrainians should leave the Czech Republic after the war ends.
Okamura made this statement on Prima TV's «Terezie Tománková's Party» program during a discussion with Martin Kupka, head of the opposition ODS. Kupka called Okamura's remarks about «evicting Ukrainians» outrageous, noting that 400,000 Ukrainian refugees help the Czech Republic avoid the EU migration pact. He also pointed out that out of 400,000 Ukrainians, 175,000 are employed, and most of the rest are children, refuting accusations of social benefit abuse.
Okamura also stated that his government rejected the EU migration pact last December, which came into effect on Friday. He has previously made anti-Ukrainian statements, including claims of wage decreases due to Ukrainians, and ordered the removal of the Ukrainian flag from the parliament building in 2022, which sparked negative reactions.