Lower house rejects visa free travel for Turks

Members of the lower house of parliament have voted against offering visa free travel to citizens from Turkey. Visa free travel for Turks to the EU was part of the agreement sealed between EU leaders and Turkey regarding the immigration crisis last week. Among those voting against visa free travel were lawmakers from the Social Democrat, ANO, and Christian Democrat parties which formed a majority with the opposition. The vote is a blow to Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka but is not binding on the Cabinet. The motion also rejected accepting quotas of refugees.

Author: Chris Johnstone