The ruling coalition on Friday pushed through a motion in the Chamber of Deputies to give priority to the government’s bill abolishing television and radio licence fees. The motion was proposed by Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) parliamentary group leader Radim Fiala. At his request, the lower house also voted to allow Saturday sittings, in addition to overnight sessions in view of a longer debate. The coalition’s move angered the opposition, which has vowed to obstruct the bill.
The government wants to replace licence fees with funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio from the state budget. The bill is currently at the initial stage of the legislative process in the Chamber of Deputies. Opposition parties describe the proposal as an attempt to bring both public-service broadcasters under state control and warn that it threatens their independence.