Prague protest rallies against far-right SPD in power, leader’s own brother joins

The center of Prague saw a protest Wednesday evening against the participation of Tomio Okamura’s far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party in the next Czech government. Earlier that day, Okamura was nominated to become Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies (the lower house of Czech parliament). 

His brother, MP Hayato Okamura, who is part of the current outgoing coalition party, joined the demonstration, titled March with Light for a Government without the SPD. It moved from Malostranské náměstí to Hradčanské náměstí shortly before 8 p.m.

Participants carried candles, lanterns, and banners criticizing the emerging coalition of ANO, SPD, and the Motorists. The protest was organized by the civic initiatives Štít demokracie (Shield of Democracy) and Občanský rozcestník (Civic Signpost). 

Organizers said they had delivered a petition to President Petr Pavel electronically. They said the document had been signed by more than 45,000 people.

“At a time when a major war is raging in Europe, it is highly risky for a party like the SPD to have access to the most sensitive security documents and negotiations,” organizers said. 

“For example, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies has access to classified information, and therefore, they must be a person who will not abuse this trust,” they added.

The petition calls on the president and party leaders to form a government without the SPD, arguing that the movement “has long sided with our enemy, Moscow, questioned support for Ukraine, and even called for the cancellation of the Czech ammunition initiative.” 

It adds that such actions “would ultimately mean a weakening of our state’s defense at a time of Russia's invasion of Europe.”

The three parties, who together will control 108 seats in the 200-member Chamber of Deputies, have agreed on a coalition program and the distribution of cabinet and parliamentary posts. The SPD will nominate experts to three government positions, current plans state.

Organizers said they respected the election results but urged political leaders “not to threaten the security of the Czech Republic by involving extremist entities in the government.”

In his manifesto, Okamura stated that he aimed to prevent Czech schools from using Anglicisms and instead focus more on the Czech language. The Japanese-born politician was in trouble with Czech authorities last year over billboards showing a dark-skinned man holding a bloody knife, implying that (illegal) migrants are murderers.