Czech politician called for the removal of Ukrainian flags from state buildings: what is known

The First Deputy Leader of the Czech ANO Party, Karel Havlicek, expressed his position regarding the gradual removal of Ukrainian flags from state buildings. He noted that they 'have fulfilled their symbolic function.' He made similar statements during an interview with Radio Prague International.

Havlicek emphasized the necessity of removing the flags 'from state institutions' and expressed the belief that this should be done gradually. Pointing out that these symbols must be removed, he stressed that this will not happen immediately.

'Of course, the flag will be taken down at some point, but we definitely won’t do it on the first day. However, I believe that these flags must be taken down from state institutions. I see nothing wrong with that.'

said Havlicek.

The politician also hinted that if he assumes the position of minister, he might take down the European Union flag from the Ministry of Industry and Trade building.

It is worth noting that his statements came against the backdrop of the decision by the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament, Radek Vondracek, to remove the Ukrainian flag from the parliament facade. The well-known leader of the right-wing populist SPD party, Tomio Okamura, called the use of Ukrainian flags on state buildings 'unnecessary politicization.' Currently, three other parliamentary factions have installed Ukrainian flags in their premises, thus expressing their support for Ukraine.

The Ukrainian flags that had been hanging on state buildings in the Czech Republic began to be taken down because, according to politicians, they fulfilled their flagging mission. Havlicek supported the idea of gradual flag removal, emphasizing that this is a process that will be done smoothly. Meanwhile, a heated discussion has erupted in parliament regarding the use of Ukrainian symbols on state buildings, initiated by the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Tomio Okamura. He called these measures unnecessary politicization and sparked a significant debate in Czech society.