(Prague, 12 May 2026)
In April, during its 10th electoral term, the Chamber of Deputies held a total of 8 sitting days within its 14th and 15th sessions and a number of committee meetings.
The agenda for the 14th session began on 14 April and focused on the discussion of bills returned by the Senate and a large number of bills in their second and third readings. Members of Parliament also addressed first readings, including several proposals under the expedited procedure pursuant to Section 90(2) of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Deputies. The 15th session began on Thursday, April 16.
The proceedings of both sessions were accompanied by the traditional press conferences of the parliamentary clubs, with interpretation into Czech Sign Language.
Public Hearing for Candidates to the Czech TV Council
On 1 April 2026, a public hearing was held for candidates nominated for the 6 vacant seats on the Czech Television Council. This allowed both the public and Members of Parliament to familiarize themselves with the candidates‘ visions prior to the actual election. It is then the Members of Parliament who elect the members of the Council.
International Conference on Evidence-Based Legislation
On 8–9 April, the Chamber hosted an international conference on effective, evidence-based legislative drafting. Organized by a joint OSCE / EU initiative, the event aimed to strengthen cooperation between parliamentary and governmental institutions in Eastern European countries. The conference was attended by approximately 60 representatives from various governments and parliaments.
Permanent Loan of Czech Torah Scroll No. 41 to the Chamber of Deputies
On 14 April 2026, marking Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah), the Chamber of Deputies received Torah Scroll MST No. 41 on permanent loan from the prestigious Memorial Scrolls Trust. Originally from the Jewish community in Říčany, this artifact is one of 1,564 scrolls rescued from Czechoslovakia in 1964. The scroll will be permanently displayed in the Chamber of Deputies.
The ceremony was held under the auspices of the First Deputy Speaker Patrik Nacher, who described the acquisition as a powerful moral gesture and a reminder of the values upon which democracy stands. Secretary General of the Chamber of Deputies Martin Plíšek, Chairman of the Memorial Scrolls Trust Jeffrey Ohrenstein, and Rabbi David Maxa also delivered remarks, emphasizing the scroll’s significance as both a sacred object and a historical witness to the tragic fate of European Jews and the resilience of their heritage.
Interparliamentary Diplomacy
Visit of the President of the Italian Republic
On 10 April 2026, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Tomio Okamura received the President of the Italian Republic, H.E. Sergio Mattarella, at the Chamber of Deputies. The meeting focused on current political issues and the further strengthening of bilateral relations between the Czech Republic and Italy. The discussions were held in a friendly and constructive atmosphere, highlighting the cooperation between the two nations within the European context.
Official Visit of the Speaker to Serbia
The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Tomio Okamura, conducted an official visit to the Republic of Serbia in late April. The itinerary included high-level meetings with President Aleksandar Vučić, Prime Minister Đuro Macut, and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ana Brnabić. Discussions centered on European integration and the activities of the interparliamentary friendship group.
Election Monitoring Mission in Hungary
A delegation consisting of Jan Bauer, Karel Dvořák, Jana Pastuchová, and Jan Richter participated in the OSCE PA monitoring mission for the parliamentary elections in Hungary (12 April). The MPs observed the election of 199 members of the National Assembly directly in Budapest.
Security Issues within NATO
Riga: MP Pavel Žáček attended the NATO PA Standing Committee meeting in Latvia, where lawmakers called for the strengthening of the transatlantic bond in response to current security challenges.
Tallinn and Helsinki: MPs Robert Králíček and Gabriela Svárovská held talks in Estonia and Finland regarding resilience, civil security, and technological innovation on the Alliance’s eastern and northern flanks.
AI Days in Brussels and Council of Europe in Strasbourg
MP Irena Ferčíková Konečná represented the Chamber at the European Parliament for „AI Days“ in Brussels. The sessions addressed the institutional aspects of artificial intelligence, the establishment of an AI Observatory, and international cooperation in this field.
MP Irena Ferčíková Konečná also participated in the plenary session of PACE in Strasbourg, which addressed stability in the Middle East and accountability for the aggression against Ukraine in the context of international law.
Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Istanbul
A delegation comprising Zuzana Majerová, Jan Bartošek, Tomáš Kohoutek, and Vojtěch Munzar attended the 152nd IPU Assembly in Turkey. Key topics included post-war conflicts and fair international trade. Head of delegation Zuzana Majerová delivered a speech calling for an end to all armed conflicts.
