Czech Government Survives No-Confidence Vote Over $45M Bitcoin Scandal
The Czech Republic’s political landscape has been rocked by a controversial Bitcoin donation scandal that nearly toppled Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s government. The Civic Democratic Party successfully weathered its fourth no-confidence vote in three years, surviving by just seven votes amid mounting pressure over a questionable $45 million cryptocurrency donation.
Czech Bitcoin scandal rocks government Source: Cointribune
What Sparked the Political Crisis?
The scandal centers around a massive 1 billion Czech koruna ($45 million) Bitcoin donation made to the Ministry of Justice on May 27, 2025. The donor, Tomáš Jiřikovský, brings significant baggage—previous convictions for drug trafficking, weapons offenses, and embezzlement.
This controversial donation represents approximately one-third of Jiřikovský’s crypto wallet, containing 1,561 Bitcoin. The timing and source of the donation raised immediate red flags among opposition parties and transparency advocates.
Former Justice Minister Pavel Blažek resigned Source: Politico EU
Parliamentary Battle: Narrow Survival
The no-confidence motion brought by opposition parties ANO, SPD, and the Pirates received 94 votes—just seven short of the 101 needed to topple the government. The vote followed more than 24 hours of intense parliamentary debate, highlighting the deep divisions within Czech politics.
Opposition parties united in their criticism of the government’s handling of cryptocurrency donations and questioned the ethics of accepting funds from individuals with criminal backgrounds.
Government Response and Damage Control
Prime Minister Fiala acknowledged that “mistakes were made” and admitted the incident has damaged public confidence in his party. The Civic Democratic Party committed to “take responsibility for ethical misconduct,” though Fiala accused opposition parties of spreading “dirt, insults and lies.“
The scandal has already claimed its first casualty—Justice Minister Pavel Blažek resigned on May 30, while Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura faces mounting pressure amid claims he knew about the donation.
Eva Decroix sworn in as new Justice Minister Source: Expats.cz
New Leadership Promises Investigation
Eva Decroix, sworn in as the new Justice Minister on June 10, has promised an independent probe into the ministry’s actions. She committed to “provide cooperation in the investigation of the donation case,” signaling a more transparent approach to addressing the scandal.
The Bigger Picture: Crypto’s Political Implications
This controversy reflects growing global concerns about government officials’ involvement in cryptocurrency activities. Recent examples include:
- US President Donald Trump’s crypto ventures
- Argentine President Javier Milei’s involvement in the Libra token scandal
The Czech scandal highlights the need for clearer guidelines on cryptocurrency donations to government entities and the potential conflicts of interest they create.
Czech PM Fiala faces political crisis Source: OCCRP
Technical Details of the Bitcoin Holdings
Jiřikovský’s crypto holdings are more extensive than initially revealed. Beyond the donated 1,561 Bitcoin, he previously controlled an additional 3,855.15 Bitcoin tied to the illicit Nucleus Market website. However, according to tech expert Jiří Berger, this larger stash remains inaccessible due to being stored on older technology.
Bitcoin wallet technical details revealed Source: MacTrast
Looking Forward: Political and Regulatory Implications
The survival of Fiala’s government doesn’t end the controversy. The scandal has exposed gaps in Czech regulations regarding cryptocurrency donations to government entities and raised questions about due diligence processes.
As Eva Decroix’s investigation proceeds, the findings could shape future cryptocurrency regulations in the Czech Republic and influence how other European nations approach similar situations.
This political crisis serves as a cautionary tale about the intersection of cryptocurrency and governance, demonstrating the need for robust frameworks to handle digital asset donations while maintaining public trust.
The Czech Bitcoin scandal represents a pivotal moment in European cryptocurrency regulation, with implications extending far beyond the country’s borders as governments worldwide grapple with the challenges and opportunities presented by digital assets in the political sphere.