Far-Right Czech Party Takes Action
A far-right political group in the Czech Republic, Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), has launched an effort to revoke Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Order of the White Lion. Jindřich Rajchl, a member of the SPD parliamentary faction, announced plans to bring the proposal before the coalition council. The initiative aims to have the Czech Parliament's lower chamber request that the nation’s president withdraw the award.
Rajchl pointed to Poland as a precedent, where President Karol Nawrocki decided to strip Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle. That move was triggered by the renaming of a military unit in honor of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) heroes. Officials at Prague Castle, the seat of the Czech presidency, have emphasized that current law does not permit the head of state to revoke state honors without a court ruling.
“Neither the Constitution nor the law grants the President of the Republic the authority to decide on the revocation of state awards,” stated a spokesperson for the Czech head of state.
Additionally, Tomio Okamura, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and leader of the SPD, has called for ending temporary protection for Ukrainians. It is worth recalling that on June 19, Polish President Karol Nawrocki made the decision to revoke Zelensky’s Order of the White Eagle, prompting several Ukrainian officials to announce they would return their Polish awards. Zelensky himself stated that he had mailed the medal back to Poland.
In response, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has expressed willingness to mediate between Warsaw and Kyiv, signaling efforts to find a compromise in the dispute.
Rising Tensions Between Czechia and Ukraine
This initiative by the Czech far-right party reflects growing friction between Czechia and Ukraine, driven by political decisions that have sparked strong emotional reactions. It is also important to note that under Czech law, the process of canceling state awards is complex and requires a judicial ruling, which could delay the implementation of the SPD’s proposal.
The Polish example, where a similar decision has already been made, may influence how events unfold in Czechia and could create new challenges for Ukrainian-Czech relations.
In light of the recent actions taken by the Czech far-right party, it is important to consider the broader implications of similar political moves in the region. For instance, Poland's decision to potentially limit President Nawrocki’s interactions with Zelenskyy highlights the increasing tensions and shifts in diplomatic relations between Eastern European nations and Ukraine. To understand these dynamics better, you can read more about Poland's stance here.