Civic Democrats stress need to safeguard democracy

The Czech Republic is a step away from its first semi-communist government since 1989 and the Civic Democrats will strive to offset its influence from the opposition benches, party leader Petr Fiala said at the Civic Democrats’ ideological conference in Libeznice, near Prague.

Party delegates met at the weekend to outline their strategy and select candidates for the Senate and local elections due to take place in the autumn.

Petr Fiala said the Czech Republic was experiencing a drawn-out political crisis and warned of the dangers of a cabinet that would have to rely on support from the Communist Party. He said it was vitally important to prevent extremists and populists getting the upper hand in the Senate, which must retain its role in the system of checks and balances.

Among the independent candidates the party is supporting in the Senate elections are diplomat Pavel Fischer and the rector of Masaryk University Mikuláš Bek.