Czech lower house elects far-right party leader as speaker

Leader of Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party Tomio Okamura speaks after leaders of ANO, SPD and Motorists parties signed a coalition agreement at the Czech Parliament in Prague, Czech Republic, November 3, 2025. REUTERS/David W Cerny

PRAGUE (Reuters) -Czech far-right leader Tomio Okamura won the post of speaker of the lower house in a vote on Wednesday, the first appointment of populist billionaire Andrej Babis's newly formed coalition with fringe right-wing groups.

The vote was a key step in forming a new government following a parliamentary election won by Babis's ANO party a month ago.