Ostrava mayor quits ANO citing change of political direction

The mayor of Ostrava, Tomáš Macura, has quit the ANO party. In view of the fact he was elected as a representative of ANO, he said he would make the position available at a party meeting.

Mr. Macura said on Twitter on Monday that he could not accept the current political direction of the grouping, which had completely changed since he joined. He was serving his third consecutive term as mayor of Czechia’s third biggest city.

ANO leader Andrej Babiš was criticised for his abrasive style during campaigning for the Czech presidency and pundits say he now plans to target the voters of the anti-migrant Freedom and Direct Democracy.