As reported by the online media Ukrinform.
The lower house of the Czech Parliament unexpectedly rejected the initiative to strip deputies of their mandates and lift immunity from Speaker Tomio Okamura and Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.
An extraordinary session of the Chamber of Deputies took place on March 5.
104 deputies out of 186 present voted to forward Babiš to the judicial authorities, 81 in favor (the coalition holds 108 of 200 seats). Regarding Okamura – 104 in favor and 82 against.
Vote proceedings and main positions
Both politicians had previously stated that they saw no grounds to lift their immunity. Babiš calls it political persecution, while Okamura says it is a suppression of freedom of speech.
The opposition, which initiated the vote, is trying to secure criminal prosecution for both politicians – despite the fact that the Committee on Mandates and Immunities has issued a recommendation not to lift the immunities of either politician.
Nevertheless, criminal prosecution will take effect from the moment they lose their parliamentary mandates.
There are also charges against Babiš related to a European subsidy nearly twenty years ago totaling 50 million Czech crowns for the “Stork’s Nest” project.
Okamura is accused in connection with xenophobic posters that his party distributed ahead of regional and Senate elections.
It should be noted that the Senate of the Czech Republic expressed support for Ukraine and distanced itself from some of Okamura’s statements.
In conclusion, the vote demonstrated a clash between the coalition and the opposition regarding further actions toward the two politicians and their immunities.
