Upcoming topic of Czech Television talk show: "Stricter rules for chronic troublemakers and debtors"

On Thursday, 9 June, at 21:25, Czech Television channel ČT 1 will present a live broadcast of Michaela Jílková's talk show "Máte slovo" ("You Have the Floor"). Amendments to the laws on aid in material distress and on misdemeanors proposed by Czech MP Ivana Řápková (Civic Democrats - ODS) will be discussed by Řápková herself, Dan Jiránek (Mayor of Kladno and Vice-Chair of the Union of Towns and Villages), and the director of the Czech Government Agency for Social Inclusion in Roma Localities, Martin Šimáček.

During her time in office as mayor of Chomutov, Řápková came up with a very controversial method for collecting money owed the town by debtors. She started confiscating their property and welfare benefits. Her moves prompted significant indignation, not only among human rights defenders and Roma activists in particular, but among MPs from across the political spectrum. On the other hand, her proposal met with great support from several dozen mayors, who saw the radical solution as a plan for getting back at least a part of the money the debtors owe.

A court decided that the actions instigated by Mayor Řápková were illegal and that the town had to stop them. Today MP Ivana Řápková is bringing this idea forward once more. She has drafted two amendments which in her view should contribute toward addressing problems with "inadaptable" citizens.

You can send a question to the discussion program or express your opinion through the Czech Television website or by SMS text message.