Prime Minister Fiala’s attempt to bypass legislative review and enforce EU migration pact faces stiff resistance from ANO, signaling sharp divisions over asylum policy.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Czech government’s effort to push through a migration law implementing key elements of the European Union’s migration pact ahead of October’s national elections has been halted by the opposition ANO movement. Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s administration, seeking expedited approval for the measure without standard parliamentary procedures, faced firm resistance from ANO, which controls 71 seats and refused to support the law’s fast-tracking.
Interior Minister Vít Rakušan defended the urgency of the proposal, stating that delays would be “unnecessary, if not dangerous,” citing an increasingly tense international climate. He argued that the legislation aims to streamline deportations of illegal migrants and tighten asylum procedures, and thus should not be subjected to months of procedural delays. However, the government’s plan to introduce the bill directly through coalition MPs and bypass standard legislative input from other ministries has sparked accusations of procedural manipulation.
To prevent committee discussions or amendments, the coalition intended for the law to be approved in its first reading, a move that requires at least 50 MPs to block. ANO’s majority position enabled it to do so, effectively halting the government’s legislative shortcut.
Shadow Minister Karel Havlíček criticized the measure, stating, “The proposal is absolutely insufficient in my opinion. We would not have to deal with anything like this if Rakušan had not approved the migration pact during the presidency.” He added, “They are taking a step back and trying to mitigate the impact. But we refuse to accept the migration pact at all, in any form.”
Alena Schillerová, head of ANO’s parliamentary group, accused the government of attempting to impose EU migration policy through stealth. “This is a quiet implementation of the migration pact, which our government will never allow,” she stated, adding that ANO plans to introduce a new, strict asylum law if it wins the election. “It is already clear that the measures proposed by Minister Rakušan are absolutely insufficient,” she said, as reported by Echo24.
The Ministry of the Interior has outlined key elements of the bill, including faster deportations, stricter oversight of asylum seekers, enhanced security screenings, and reduced benefits for applicants deemed problematic. Prime Minister Fiala defended the proposal as a deterrent to migrants, arguing it would discourage illegal entry into the Czech Republic.
Despite outreach efforts from coalition MPs, opposition parties remain unconvinced. SPD MP Radek Koten stated that his party would review the bill’s specifics before taking a position, but reiterated that border security should be the primary focus.
At the European level, Czech MEP Danuše Nerudová urged pragmatism, warning that refusing to implement the migration pact could lead to legal action. “Not a proclamation about blocking the implementation of the migration pact, for which we will still face proceedings. At the moment, the priority must be the approval of the return regulation and the conclusion of agreements with third countries on the return of illegal migrants,” she said.
Several Visegrád nations, including Slovakia and Hungary, have declared their intent to ignore the EU pact, setting the stage for potential legal clashes with the European Commission. Non-compliance with the pact could subject member states to penalties of up to €20,000 per migrant they refuse to accept.
