A political discussion is unfolding in the Czech Republic regarding the future of Ukrainian refugees currently in the country under temporary protection. The leader of the right-wing populist movement SPD (Czech Freedom and Direct Democracy) Tomio Okamura announced his party’s intention to initiate a review of residence permits for all Ukrainian citizens. According to him, only those Ukrainians who work in jobs that are unpopular among Czechs will be allowed to stay – specifically, low-paid or physically demanding professions where there is a shortage of local workers.
This is reported by Finway
Reasons for Reviewing Refugee Policy
Okamura explains that after the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Czech Republic accepted hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians. In his opinion, this has affected the availability of rental housing and increased the burden on the healthcare system. The politician emphasizes that his position is not a manifestation of hostility towards Ukrainians, but rather aimed at protecting the interests of Czech citizens.
“We want to implement our program, and we can only do this in government,” Okamura stated.
According to the SPD proposal, only those Ukrainians who work in sectors unattractive to the local population will be allowed to remain in the Czech Republic. In this way, the party emphasizes the need to ensure a workforce where there is a lack of Czechs and seeks to avoid competition in the labor market.
Political Context and SPD Demands
The initiative to review residence permits has become one of the key conditions that the SPD is putting forward for joining the government after the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 2025. The party has formed a bloc with the political forces “Freedom,” “Tricolor,” and the movement “Right Respect for Decency” (PRO). Sociological research indicates that support for this bloc currently fluctuates between 10-13% of voters.
In addition to the issue of Ukrainian refugees, the SPD has included several other demands in its program, including:
- rejection of the EU migration pact;
- blocking the ETS 2 emissions quota system, which Okamura believes could lead to increased heating and transportation costs;
- raising pensions and returning the retirement age to 65;
- combating abuses of social benefits;
- increasing accountability for animal cruelty.
The issue of Ukrainian refugees is becoming a central element of the election campaign in the Czech Republic. If the SPD enters the government, the conditions for Ukrainians may be significantly tightened.