Czech Politician Seeks Revocation of Zelensky’s State Order

Jindrich Rajchl, leader of the PRO party, is calling on the Czech Parliament to strip President Volodymyr Zelensky of the Order of the White Lion, citing naming disputes regarding military units.

The Order of the White Lion

Volodymyr Zelensky received the Order of the White Lion in October 2022. It is the highest state honor in the Czech Republic, awarded by then-President Miloš Zeman to recognize exceptional service and the courage Zelensky displayed by remaining in Ukraine after the war began.

Demands from the Right

Jindrich Rajchl, chairman of the right-wing PRO party, has stated he intends to raise the issue with the SPD party. He is demanding that the Chamber of Deputies urge the president to revoke the honor.

Rajchl argues that the state cannot remain silent while a recipient of its highest honor names military units after individuals he characterizes as Nazi criminals. He specifically cited Zelensky’s decision on May 26 to name a Special Operations Forces unit the “Heroes of the UPA.”

Before entering parliament in October 2025, Rajchl was known for opposing pandemic restrictions and participating in demonstrations viewed as pro-Russian. He is also described as a significant source of disinformation within the country.

Legal Obstacles to Revocation

Vojtech Šeliga, spokesperson for the Czech president, noted that neither the constitution nor current law grants the head of state the authority to revoke a national honor. Such an action would only be possible following a final court judgment.

While the Czech law on state decorations does not specify grounds for revocation, it does stipulate that individuals sentenced by a final court verdict to lose honorary titles must return their decorations to the Presidential Office.

The Influence of Polish Precedents

According to the portal Idnes.cz, Rajchl admitted his proposal was inspired by events in Poland. On June 19, Karol Nawrocki decided to revoke the Order of the White Eagle from the Ukrainian president.

This has led to a reciprocal exchange of honors. Former Ukrainian presidents Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Petro Petro Poroshenko returned their Polish decorations in solidarity with Zelensky. Simultaneously, Polish politicians from the PiS party, including Jarosław Kaczyński, Mariusz Błaszczak, and Mateusz Morawiecki, have been returning their Ukrainian decorations.