South Bohemian governor unveils new movement aiming to bridge Czech political divide
The hugely popular governor of South Bohemia has established a new political movement called Our Czechia (Naše Česko). He says its aim is to rise above the traditional political clash between conservative and liberal ideas and look for ways to move the Czech Republic forward.
Pragmatic, critical and outspoken, Martin Kuba has been a thorn in the side of the Civic Democratic Party leadership for many years. The South Bohemian governor, who once served as the party’s industry and trade minister, has been increasingly critical of the party’s politics in recent years, winning elections on home ground, where the Civic Democrats failed elsewhere around the country. In the autumn of last year, after 22 years of party membership, he slammed the door on the Civic Democrats, and a number of regional politicians left the party with him.
Several months after the former centre-right coalition suffered a humiliating defeat in the general elections, Kuba has announced plans to establish a new movement which he will lead into this year’s municipal elections and which he ultimately wants to nurture into a nationwide political force.
On Tuesday, Kuba presented the movement’s new name and logo, describing it as centre-right, but stressing that the main aim of the new movement is to rise above the traditional political skirmishes between conservative and liberal politicians and look for ways to move the Czech Republic forward.
“We do not want to perpetuate this never-ending clash between conservatives and liberals. We need a concept that brings progressive forces together. The current period will determine what the Czech Republic and Europe will look like in 20 or 50 years’ time. Civilisations going through such periods often fail to realise their significance at the time. We are one nation, and we must look for a path that will allow our Czechia to stand its ground,” Kuba said.
The movement will use the slogan “Getting it right the first time round” and aims to operate nationwide. At present it is rooted mainly in the South Bohemian and Plzeň regions, from which it aims to spread out.
While in this year’s municipal elections, its strongest presence is expected in the South Bohemian Region where it has its base, the movement wants to field candidates elsewhere as well, though not at any cost. More important, Kuba explained, is that its candidates would represent a guarantee of good politics for voters. He also indicated that the movement is unlikely to contest the Prague City Hall elections.
Building the movement’s structure will not be a matter of a few weeks, Kuba said, calling for patience. “The goal is to be ready for parliamentary elections in three years’ time,” he added.
In the meantime, Our Czechia will organise a series of conferences across the country, through which it will gradually formulate its program, introduce experts in individual fields and recruit new members.
At a press briefing in Prague, Kuba indicated that he is dreaming big. He rejected speculation about possible future cooperation with the ANO party of Andrej Babiš, saying that his goal was to govern independently rather than as a junior coalition partner.
Leaders of the opposition centre-right parties have reason to eye this new political entity with concern. However, for the time being they say they do not yet see Our Czechia as a big political rival, but as a regional initiative whose future will depend on how it develops.
