(Prague, 3 November 2026)
October combined an intensive period of parliamentary work with a wide-ranging programme of international cooperation and public events. Alongside three parliamentary sessions, during which MPs considered the 2027 State Budget in its first reading, the Chamber hosted the IFLA PARL Alumni Meeting, marking the 50th anniversary of the IFLA Library and Research Services for Parliaments Section. The month also saw continued engagement with parliamentary partners abroad and the opening of the Chamber’s historic premises to the public on the occasion of the national holiday.
Parliamentary Affairs
Parliamentary Sessions
October saw a total of 10 sitting days during the Chamber of Deputies’ 33rd, 34th and 35th sessions. At the 33rd session on 1 October, MPs voted on a motion of no confidence in the Government of the Czech Republic. The motion was not passed, with 83 MPs voting in favour and 94 against out of 177 MPs present; at least 101 votes were required for its adoption.
At the 34th session, the Chamber discussed the Government Bill on the State Budget of the Czech Republic for 2027 in its first reading. The bill was approved and referred to the second reading.
Institutional and Public Events
Blood donation campaign – Sokolská Kapka Krve
On 6 October, MPs and employees of the Office of the Chamber of Deputies took part in the Sokolská Kapka Krve blood donation campaign. The event, organised by the Czech Sokol Community in cooperation with the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion of the Central Military Hospital Prague, was supported by the Active Chamber project under the patronage of First Deputy Speaker Patrik Nacher.
A total of 49 people donated blood, including seven first-time donors, contributing approximately 22 litres of blood. The event was the 12th mass blood donation organised at Tyršův dům as part of Sokol Remembrance Day. The Sokolská Kapka Krve project has been running since 2015.
Browse the Chamber of Deputies photo gallery on Flickr: Sokolská Kapka Krve – blood donation campaign
Czech-Italian Business Forum
On 15 October, the Czech-Italian business forum “Reframing Europe’s Strategic Map – Leading Transformation in Industry and Logistics” was held under the patronage of MP Vojtěch Munzar, Chair of the Czech-Italian Interparliamentary Friendship Group. Deputy Speaker Jan Skopeček also addressed the forum.
Browse the Chamber of Deputies photo gallery on Flickr: Czech-Italian Business Forum
IFLA PARL Alumni Meeting in Prague
On 15–16 October, the Parliamentary Library and Archive of the Chamber of Deputies hosted the IFLA PARL Alumni Meeting in Prague, marking the 50th anniversary of the IFLA Library and Research Services for Parliaments Section.
The meeting brought together current and former members of the section’s standing board and representatives of parliamentary libraries from abroad. The event was opened by Deputy Speaker Barbora Urbanová, while IFLA President 2025–2027 Leslie Weir addressed the participants by video. The programme also included presentations by Director of the Parliamentary Library and Archive Ondřej Tikovský, section chair Carolyne Ménard of the National Assembly of Quebec and information coordinator Iouliani Theodosi of the Greek Parliament archive service.
The participants also commemorated former Director of the Parliamentary Library and Archive Karel Sosna and visited the Holešovice workplace, where they learned more about the library and archive’s activities, holdings and historical volumes. The meeting also resulted in preparations for a pilot mentor network to be launched in 2027.
Browse the Chamber of Deputies photo gallery on Flickr: IFLA PARL Alumni Meeting in Prague
Award for the Permanent Czech Torah Scroll Exhibition
On 27 October, the permanent exhibition of a Czech Torah scroll in the Chamber of Deputies’ courtyard received an award at the Grand Prix Architektů – National Architecture Award 2026. The international jury awarded the CASUA studio project in the category of Architectural Design, Small Architecture and Creative Work in Architecture.
The installation was created for Torah scroll MST No. 41, which was received by the Chamber on permanent loan from the UK Memorial Scrolls Trust in April 2026. The scroll originally belonged to the Jewish community in Říčany and was among the Czech Torah scrolls rescued during the 20th century.
Browse the Chamber of Deputies photo gallery on Flickr: Award for the Permanent Czech Torah Scroll Exhibition
Commemoration at Vítkov
On 28 October, Speaker Tomio Okamura, together with Deputy Speakers and MPs, attended a commemorative ceremony at the National Monument on Vítkov marking the 108th anniversary of the establishment of independent Czechoslovakia.
Browse the Chamber of Deputies photo gallery on Flickr: Commemoration at Vítkov
Open Day at the Chamber of Deputies
On 28 October, the Chamber of Deputies opened its doors to the public on the occasion of the national holiday. Nearly 5,000 visitors toured the Chamber’s historic premises in Prague’s Lesser Town.
Visitors were welcomed by Speaker Tomio Okamura, Deputy Speaker Jiří Barták and Secretary General of the Office of the Chamber of Deputies Martin Plíšek. The tour included the main chamber, ceremonial staircase, Dagmar Burešová Hall and press atrium in Thun Palace, which is the official seat of the Chamber of Deputies. Visitors could also see the exhibition on the ceremonial version of the Constitution of the Czech Republic, presenting all proposals submitted to two competitions held in 2024 and 2025.
An interactive puzzle game was prepared for children, while the Parlamentárium educational space and the Information Centre were also open to visitors.
Browse the Chamber of Deputies photo gallery on Flickr: Open Day at the Chamber of Deputies
Interparliamentary Diplomacy
153rd IPU Assembly in Arusha
From 4 to 10 October, the Czech delegation took part in the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Arusha, Tanzania. The delegation was headed by MP Zuzana Majerová and included MP Pavla Pivoňka Vaňková.
During the Assembly, Australian MP Milton Dick was elected as the new President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union from among three candidates.
NATO Rose-Roth Seminar in Chisinau
On 6–7 October, MPs Helena Langšádlová and Libor Forman attended the 109th Rose-Roth Seminar of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, held in the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova in Chisinau.
The discussions focused on the security situation in the Black Sea region, the impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the challenges facing Moldova and the wider region. Participants also discussed security links between Ukraine, Moldova and the Black Sea region and the contribution of NATO and the international community.
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Autumn Session
From 6 to 9 October, members of the Czech permanent delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, MPs Jan Richter and Jana Pastuchová, participated in the 24th autumn session of the Assembly in Andorra.
The session addressed the defence of multilateralism and common commitments, energy security and sustainability, as well as human rights in the context of artificial intelligence and hybrid threats.
Visit of a U.S. Congress Staff Delegation
A delegation of staff members of the U.S. Congress visited the Chamber of Deputies and held meetings with First Deputy Speaker Patrik Nacher and members of the Czech-U.S. Interparliamentary Friendship Group. The programme also included a tour of representative spaces in Thun Palace.
Browse the Chamber of Deputies photo gallery on Flickr: Visit of a U.S. Congress Staff Delegation
Ukraine-NATO Interparliamentary Council in Warsaw
On 19–20 October, MP Pavel Žáček participated in a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Interparliamentary Council in Warsaw.
The discussions focused on continued support for Ukraine ahead of the winter season, hybrid threats and the protection of the Schengen border.
Visit of European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib
On 22 October, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib visited the Chamber of Deputies. She was received by Chair of the European Affairs Committee Petr Sokol and members of the committee. Chair of the Senate Committee on EU Affairs Jan Schiller also took part in the meeting.
Browse the Chamber of Deputies photo gallery on Flickr: Visit of European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib
Parliamentary Meeting at NATO Headquarters
On 26 October, MP Robert Králíček, Head of the Czech Permanent Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, participated in a parliamentary meeting at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.
The meeting addressed the role of national parliaments in defence policy and parliamentary oversight. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also briefed the participants on the Alliance’s current tasks.
Czech-Slovak Mutuality Awards in Martin
On 29–30 October, a Czech delegation visited Martin, Slovakia, for the presentation of the Czech-Slovak Mutuality Awards. The Chamber of Deputies was represented by Speaker Tomio Okamura and Deputy Speaker Jan Skopeček, as well as other MPs.
The programme included the unveiling of a bust of Milan Rastislav Štefánik and an interparliamentary charity football match between teams of the Czech Chamber of Deputies and the Slovak National Council. The Czech selection, captained by Deputy Speaker Patrik Nacher, won 9:1 and took home the travelling trophy. The charity match raised €6,705 (approximately CZK 163,000) for IPčko, an organisation providing psychological support.
Browse the Chamber of Deputies photo gallery on Flickr:
Czech-Slovak Mutuality Awards in Martin
Unveiling of the M. R. Štefánik Bust in Martin
Czech-Slovak Charity Football Match in Martin
Photos: Office of the Chamber of Deputies / Lukáš Janičina / Jan Kallus / Luděk Krušinský
