Okamura called for an end to payments to Ukrainians in the Czech Republic
Tomio Okamura, Speaker of the lower house of the Czech Parliament and leader of the “Freedom and Direct Democracy” party, proposed reducing the state budget deficit, specifically by canceling payments to Ukrainian refugees.
“I propose immediately canceling and halting all aid payments to Ukrainians in the Czech Republic… The benefits for Ukrainians are truly enormous: approximately 8 billion in humanitarian aid for Ukrainians, plus another 4 billion that the state is still paying for health insurance for unemployed Ukrainians, for a total of 12 billion,” Okamura calculated in front of journalists.
He also published a lengthy post on social media platform X. In it, he wrote that his party, as part of the governing coalition, “insists on ending the so-called temporary protection for Ukrainians, abolishing all benefits, and deporting anyone who violates our laws.”
Okamura noted that more than 398,000 refugees from Ukraine reside in the Czech Republic, with 36 Ukrainian refugees per 1,000 Czech residents—the highest ratio among all EU countries.
The Speaker of Parliament also noted that the government has already approved a comprehensive amendment to the Lex Ukraine package, which significantly tightens the rules for Ukrainian refugees under temporary protection. These legislative changes bring significant improvements in the areas of housing and protection, access to social benefits, and the use of vehicles. He specifically addressed the issue of newly arrived men of draft age, who will not be granted protection status unless they can prove they have fulfilled their military obligations.
Among other changes, starting in 2027, owners will be able to register their vehicles in the Czech Road Vehicle Register (RSV), and as of 2028, such registration will become mandatory. At the same time, the previous registration in the Ukrainian Vehicle Information System (IS UA) will end. Vehicles with Ukrainian license plates will need to be entered into the RSV and will once again undergo regular technical inspections. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in penalties: in addition to a bond, impoundment of the vehicle, or confiscation of license plates, fines of up to 30,000 Czech koruna for drivers and up to 50,000 Czech koruna for vehicle operators.
Okamura constantly raises the issue of the allegedly high costs associated with Ukrainian refugees and ignores statistical data, according to which, in the third quarter of 2025, the state collected 8.2 billion crowns in taxes and contributions from individuals under temporary protection, while the cost of supporting them amounted to 3.9 billion.
In the draft budget for next year, which is currently being debated in the country, the government has projected a deficit of 389 billion crowns.
He expressed this idea at a meeting of the ruling coalition chaired by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, according to a Ukrinform correspondent.
Okamura wants to tighten restrictions on Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic.
The Czech Foreign Minister met with the Ukrainian ambassador and plans to speak with Sibiga.
The Czech Foreign Minister plans to meet with the Ukrainian ambassador in response to Okamura’s statements.
