The state of emergency will be extended until the end of May. The House of Commons approved the government’s proposal of Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS)on Tuesday. The cabinet had asked for an extension of the state of emergency due to the influx of refugees from Ukraine, militarily attacked by Russia.
Of the 148 lawmakers present, 82 voted in favor of the state of emergency until the end of May from the government’s benches. The opposition ANO and SPD parties were against it. It will be in force until May 31st.
“The request to extend the state of emergency by two months is perhaps unusual. However, it is necessary for the government and all police officers, firefighters, and governors who have been working in this regime for two months, “Interior Ministry chief Vít Rakušan (STAN) told the plenary.
According to him, there is no reason to assume that the number of Ukrainians in the Czech Republic will decrease significantly within two months. “If the state of emergency is not needed for two months, the lower house can end it earlier,” he added.
Lawmakers from the ANO movement wanted to support a 30-day extension. “Even constitutional lawyers disagree on whether it is possible to extend the state of emergency for more than 30 days, “Alena Schillerová, the head of the ANO MPs, justified.
“I would support an extension of 30 days, but we would still be unique. No country has a state of emergency like ours,” said her party colleague Patrik Nacher.
The SPD did not want to extend the state of emergency.