Okamura orders removal of Ukrainian flag from Parliament building

Newly elected Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies Tomio Okamura, leader of the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, has ordered the removal of the Ukrainian flag from the parliament building. The flag had flown there since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 as a symbol of solidarity with the attacked country. Former Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová of TOP 09 called the move “a disgraceful gesture” against both Ukraine and the values shared by Czechia. Leaders of the former government parties, including Vít Rakušan (Mayors and Independents), Martin Kupka (Civic Democratic Party) and Marek Výborný (Christian Democrats), condemned Okamura’s decision, describing it as an act that undermines solidarity and the country’s pro-Western orientation. Alongside the Czech and EU flags, the Israeli flag continues to fly on the building — raised in October 2023 after the Hamas terror attacks.