Alena Schillerová, chairwoman of the parliamentary club of the ANO movement, faces criticism and backlash after declaring that the Czech Republic does not want to prepare for war but desires to live in peace. The statement comes at a time when neighboring states, including the Czech Republic, are significantly bolstering their military capabilities. The remarks made by Schillerová have drawn ire, particularly from Defense Minister Jana Černochová (ODS), who emphasized the necessity of ensuring the country’s security.

The criticism stems from Schillerová’s comments on the CzechCrunch podcast, where she questioned the need for increased defense spending, stating that the Czech Republic is not at war and highlighting the importance of investing in transport infrastructure. She emphasized the commitment to fulfilling defense obligations but stressed the importance of aligning expenditures with the country’s economic capacity.

Defense Minister Černochová responded sharply to Schillerová’s remarks, expressing expectations for a retraction and describing the statement as “nonsense accidentally blurted out.” Accusing Schillerová of downplaying the reality of security threats, Černochová asserted the government’s responsibility to prioritize the nation’s defense.

Members of the Defense Committee in the Chamber of Deputies, both from the opposition and coalition, joined the criticism. Marek Ženíšek (TOP 09) argued that preparedness is essential for maintaining peace, emphasizing the importance of signaling readiness to potential aggressors.

Despite the controversy and widespread disapproval, Schillerová stood by her statement. She clarified that her focus was on the overall distribution of investments, prioritizing economic stimulation and addressing wage decline concerns within the OECD. Schillerová also pointed out the increase in defense spending from 42 to 85 billion crowns during the eight years of ANO movement governance. The debate underscores the ongoing discourse on defense priorities amid geopolitical uncertainties in the region.

Article by Prague Forum