Czech Parliament Advances Plan to Shift Public Media to State Budget

The narrow 96-81 victory for the government coalition—comprising ANO, the Freedom and Direct Democracy party, and Motorists—followed a week of intense secrecy. By adding the contentious item to the agenda only on Friday morning, coalition leadership successfully blindsided opposition parties, preventing the implementation of standard obstruction tactics. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš was notably absent from the chamber during the proceedings.

While this vote clears the initial hurdle, the legislation faces a rigorous path ahead. The bill now heads to the media and culture committee, where it will undergo a second reading and a series of lengthy debates. Opposition members have already signaled their intent to submit amendments, ensuring that the proposal remains a focal point of legislative friction. Outside the parliament, demonstrators gathered throughout the weekend to voice their opposition to a policy critics fear will compromise the independence of the nation’s public broadcasters.