Scandal in the Czech Republic over Ukrainian flag: new authorities involved

A political scandal erupted in the Czech Republic after the new speaker of parliament, Tomio Okamura, removed the Ukrainian flag from the facade of the building. The decision provoked a sharp reaction from MPs and diplomats, as well as a wave of discussion in society. Find out all the details of the incident

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A scandal has erupted in the Czech Republic. The new speaker of the lower house of parliament, Tomio Okamura, ordered the Ukrainian flag to be removed from the facade of the Chamber of Deputies building. This essentially symbolic move sparked a storm of reaction both in the Czech Republic and in Ukraine.

Background

After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Ukrainian flag began to appear on government buildings in the Czech Republic as a sign of solidarity with the Ukrainian people. It flew on the facade of the parliament building for several years.

Tomio Okamura, leader of the right-wing populist Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, said during his election campaign that Ukrainian flags had ‘no place’ on government buildings. Immediately after taking office, he ordered the flag to be removed, stating that this step symbolised a return to the Czech Republic's ‘national identity’.

The Ukrainian flags have already been returned

Okamura's decision provoked an immediate reaction from his colleagues. Deputies from other parties hung even more Ukrainian flags on the windows of the parliament building, demonstrating their disagreement with the new chairman's actions.

Representatives of liberal and democratic factions called this move a sign of disrespect for the values of freedom and solidarity, emphasising that the Czech Republic has always stood alongside Ukraine in its struggle for independence.

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How did Ukraine react?

Ukrainian Ambassador to Prague Vasyl Zvarych thanked the Czechs for their support and noted that the Ukrainian flag today is not just a state symbol, but a flag of freedom, dignity and steadfastness. According to him, Russia fears this flag because it embodies the will of free people who will never be slaves to the Kremlin. The diplomat expressed his gratitude to those who hung Ukrainian flags as a sign of solidarity, emphasising that such gestures strengthen unity between nations.

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