Consensus-Building
#18Key Findings
In the category of consensus-building, Czechia falls into the lower-middle ranks (rank 18).
The government does not systematically consult academic experts, except with regard to science policy. Employers and trade unions participate in negotiations with the government on major economic and social issues through the Council of Economic and Social Accord.
A broad range of social and economic actors are consulted during the policymaking process. Nonprofit and civil society representatives are included on several advisory bodies, but these consultations are often formal, with input frequently ignored. Some environmental NGOs participate in such councils, while others keep a distance from the government.
The country scores slightly above average in the OECD with regard to open data provision. However, experts identify gaps in government support for data reuse and uncertainties regarding data protection rules.
The government does not systematically consult academic experts, except with regard to science policy. Employers and trade unions participate in negotiations with the government on major economic and social issues through the Council of Economic and Social Accord.
A broad range of social and economic actors are consulted during the policymaking process. Nonprofit and civil society representatives are included on several advisory bodies, but these consultations are often formal, with input frequently ignored. Some environmental NGOs participate in such councils, while others keep a distance from the government.
The country scores slightly above average in the OECD with regard to open data provision. However, experts identify gaps in government support for data reuse and uncertainties regarding data protection rules.
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To what extent is the government successful in effectively harnessing the best available scientific knowledge for policymaking purposes?
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9
9
The government is able to harness the best available scientific knowledge for policymaking purposes.
8
7
6
7
6
In most cases, the government is able to harness the best available scientific knowledge for policymaking purposes.
5
4
3
4
3
Only rarely is the government able to harness the best available scientific knowledge for policymaking purposes.
2
1
1
The government is not able to harness the best available scientific knowledge for policymaking purposes.
The government does not have a strong record of systematically involving scientific expertise, except perhaps in science policy. However, some experts participate in committees and subcommittees at the government and ministerial levels. A commission was created in June 2019 to prepare material for the government on climate adaptation and mitigation, but it did not meet during the pandemic, and its last report was produced in 2021. The commission includes independent experts, including those from NGOs, and some of these experts publish their views independently.
An example of innovative practice from the scientific community is AVex. This series of explanations addresses scientific issues, each approximately six pages long, and is prepared by institutes of the Academy of Sciences. Since 2019, there have been three publications each year that tackle potentially controversial topics in a forthright manner. For instance, one publication explains global warming rigorously but in an accessible way for the general public. Another addresses migration, providing a historical account that argues permanent immigration is inevitable. It also discusses ways to counter myths and racial and religious stereotypes, as well as how to improve the lives of immigrants. Despite these efforts, the publications have not yet visibly altered the opinions of state organs and members of parliament, the intended target audience.
Citations:
https://www.avcr.cz/cs/veda-a-vyzkum/avex/
An example of innovative practice from the scientific community is AVex. This series of explanations addresses scientific issues, each approximately six pages long, and is prepared by institutes of the Academy of Sciences. Since 2019, there have been three publications each year that tackle potentially controversial topics in a forthright manner. For instance, one publication explains global warming rigorously but in an accessible way for the general public. Another addresses migration, providing a historical account that argues permanent immigration is inevitable. It also discusses ways to counter myths and racial and religious stereotypes, as well as how to improve the lives of immigrants. Despite these efforts, the publications have not yet visibly altered the opinions of state organs and members of parliament, the intended target audience.
Citations:
https://www.avcr.cz/cs/veda-a-vyzkum/avex/
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To what extent does the government facilitate the participation of trade unions and business organizations in policymaking?
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9
9
The government is able to effectively involve trade unions and business organizations in policy development.
8
7
6
7
6
Most of the time, the government is able to effectively involve trade unions and business organizations in policy development.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is rarely able to effectively involve trade unions and business organizations in policy development.
2
1
1
The government is not able to effectively involve trade unions and business organizations in policy development.
The Council of Economic and Social Accord (Rada hospodářské a sociální dohody, RHSD) is the institutional mechanism for involving employers’ and employees’ representatives (trade unions) in negotiations with the government on significant economic and social development issues. Established in 1990, the RHSD operates under Rules of Procedure that determine the regularity of meetings. In addition to plenary sessions and the Bureau, specialized working groups also convene. The frequency of these meetings depends on the government’s attitude toward social dialogue during its term.
During the review period, the RHSD held regular plenary sessions, with meeting minutes and subsequent press conferences publicly available on the government website. In 2022, six regular sessions were held, along with one extraordinary session addressing the situation in Ukraine and its impact on the Czech Republic. In 2023, six sessions were also held. Additionally, tripartite meetings occurred at the ministry level to address specific sectoral issues, such as education and health. Tripartite meetings at the regional level also took place.
All three partners consider tripartite meetings crucial, but satisfaction with the results varies depending on how well views and demands are balanced. Examples include negotiations on minimum wage increases, guaranteed wage increases, and the so-called consolidation package. In the latter case, the government was unwilling to compromise.
Citations:
https://vlada.gov.cz/assets/ppov/tripartita/Jednaci-rad.pdf
During the review period, the RHSD held regular plenary sessions, with meeting minutes and subsequent press conferences publicly available on the government website. In 2022, six regular sessions were held, along with one extraordinary session addressing the situation in Ukraine and its impact on the Czech Republic. In 2023, six sessions were also held. Additionally, tripartite meetings occurred at the ministry level to address specific sectoral issues, such as education and health. Tripartite meetings at the regional level also took place.
All three partners consider tripartite meetings crucial, but satisfaction with the results varies depending on how well views and demands are balanced. Examples include negotiations on minimum wage increases, guaranteed wage increases, and the so-called consolidation package. In the latter case, the government was unwilling to compromise.
Citations:
https://vlada.gov.cz/assets/ppov/tripartita/Jednaci-rad.pdf
To what extent does the government facilitate the participation of leading social welfare CSOs in policymaking?
10
9
9
The government is able to effectively involve leading social welfare CSOs in policy development.
8
7
6
7
6
Most of the time, the government is able to effectively involve leading social welfare CSOs in policy development.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is rarely able to effectively involve leading social welfare CSOs in policy development.
2
1
1
The government is not able to effectively involve leading social welfare CSOs in policy development.
The policymaking process in Czechia is relatively open, with a broad spectrum of social and economic actors consulted during the legislative process. Representatives from the nonprofit sector and civil society are members of several government advisory bodies. However, these often allow only formal consultations, with material submitted late and comments frequently ignored.
In July 2021, the Czech government approved the Strategy for Cooperation between Public Administration and Nonprofit Organizations (NGOs) for 2021–2030, formulating objectives and setting tasks concerning the nonprofit sector. The strategy’s implementation is regularly evaluated through monitoring reports. According to the 2022 report, two-thirds of the measures have been only partially implemented.
NGO work has significantly influenced life in the Czech Republic. In 2023, thanks to NGO activity, a redefinition of rape was incorporated into legislation. In the field of social welfare, NGOs pressured the government to increase subsidies for personal assistants for disabled citizens. Additionally, pensioners’ organizations are actively involved in policy formulation, as discussed in a previous section.
Patients’ organizations also play a crucial role, assisting patients with serious illnesses and communicating with government officials to help patients secure their rights.
Citations:
https://vlada.gov.cz/cz/ppov/rnno/dokumenty/strategie-spoluprace-verejne-spravy-s-nestatnimi-neziskovymi-organizacemi-na-leta-2021-az-2030-189753/
In July 2021, the Czech government approved the Strategy for Cooperation between Public Administration and Nonprofit Organizations (NGOs) for 2021–2030, formulating objectives and setting tasks concerning the nonprofit sector. The strategy’s implementation is regularly evaluated through monitoring reports. According to the 2022 report, two-thirds of the measures have been only partially implemented.
NGO work has significantly influenced life in the Czech Republic. In 2023, thanks to NGO activity, a redefinition of rape was incorporated into legislation. In the field of social welfare, NGOs pressured the government to increase subsidies for personal assistants for disabled citizens. Additionally, pensioners’ organizations are actively involved in policy formulation, as discussed in a previous section.
Patients’ organizations also play a crucial role, assisting patients with serious illnesses and communicating with government officials to help patients secure their rights.
Citations:
https://vlada.gov.cz/cz/ppov/rnno/dokumenty/strategie-spoluprace-verejne-spravy-s-nestatnimi-neziskovymi-organizacemi-na-leta-2021-az-2030-189753/
To what extent does the government facilitate the participation of leading environmental CSOs in policymaking?
10
9
9
The government is able to effectively involve leading environmental CSOs in policy development.
8
7
6
7
6
Most of the time, the government is able to effectively involve leading environmental CSOs in policy development.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is rarely able to effectively involve leading environmental CSOs in policy development.
2
1
1
The government is not able to effectively involve leading environmental CSOs in policy development.
In 2023, thanks to pressure from NGOs such as the DUHA Movement, an amendment to the Energy Act was approved, introducing community energy. Environmental NGOs are integrated into formal policymaking structures through membership in the Council for Sustainable Development under the Ministry of the Environment and various subcommittees. The council includes a representative from the Green Circle, a coordinating body of environmental organizations that comments on and seeks to influence national and EU legislation. One of the Green Circle’s recent concerns involves plans to build high-speed train lines, which the government began discussing in 2017 and prioritized in March 2023. The Green Circle argues that alternatives might be more effective for achieving the goal of decarbonizing transport.
The DUHA Movement prides itself on its independence from the government as it monitors legislation. Its judgment on the Fiala government’s first two years was mixed, welcoming proposals to reduce carbon dependence while arguing for more support for renewable energy and less reliance on nuclear energy, for which costs were judged to have been underestimated. Its relatively sympathetic assessment of the government reflects the latter’s adherence to EU rules and the sympathies of the relevant minister within the coalition government.
A further controversy involving environmental organizations related to a proposed change to planning rules aimed at speeding up the approval of infrastructure projects. Adapted from EU law, this change responded to complaints in Czechia that environmental organizations were delaying approvals – particularly for motorway construction – by raising individual complaints at multiple stages of a project, sometimes for up to 20 years. The proposed changes would require a decision on building permits within four years and limit objections on environmental grounds. The law was approved on November 3, 2023. However, crucial changes were incorporated a few weeks beforehand without allowing space for public discussion. It remains to be seen whether environmental organizations and others will complain to the Constitutional Court, as they have threatened.
Citations:
https://hnutiduha.cz/sites/default/files/publikace/2023/10/priloha_tiskove_zpravy_hodnoceni_vlady_v_polocase.pdf
The DUHA Movement prides itself on its independence from the government as it monitors legislation. Its judgment on the Fiala government’s first two years was mixed, welcoming proposals to reduce carbon dependence while arguing for more support for renewable energy and less reliance on nuclear energy, for which costs were judged to have been underestimated. Its relatively sympathetic assessment of the government reflects the latter’s adherence to EU rules and the sympathies of the relevant minister within the coalition government.
A further controversy involving environmental organizations related to a proposed change to planning rules aimed at speeding up the approval of infrastructure projects. Adapted from EU law, this change responded to complaints in Czechia that environmental organizations were delaying approvals – particularly for motorway construction – by raising individual complaints at multiple stages of a project, sometimes for up to 20 years. The proposed changes would require a decision on building permits within four years and limit objections on environmental grounds. The law was approved on November 3, 2023. However, crucial changes were incorporated a few weeks beforehand without allowing space for public discussion. It remains to be seen whether environmental organizations and others will complain to the Constitutional Court, as they have threatened.
Citations:
https://hnutiduha.cz/sites/default/files/publikace/2023/10/priloha_tiskove_zpravy_hodnoceni_vlady_v_polocase.pdf
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To what extent does the government publish data and information that empowers citizens to hold the government accountable?
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The government publishes data and information in a manner that empowers citizens to hold the government accountable.
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Most of the time, the government publishes data and information in a manner that empowers citizens to hold the government accountable.
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The government rarely publishes data and information in a manner that strengthens citizens to hold the government accountable.
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The government does not publish data and information in a manner that strengthens citizens’ capacity to hold the government accountable.
The OECD OURdata Index on Open Government Data for the Czech Republic is slightly above the OECD average (2019). However, closer examination reveals gaps in government support for data reuse and some uncertainty regarding data protection rules. The Digital and Information Agency (DIA), established in April 2023, coordinates and supports the digitalization of the public sector. DIA is working to develop relevant standards in collaboration with data holders and will provide expert support.
There are several data catalogues in Czechia, including: (1) The National Open Data Catalogue, which features an interface with navigation via search, publisher, and tags; (2) the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO) Catalogue, which allows users to navigate data products based on type, date of release, theme, spatial and temporal granularity, and other criteria. The CZSO provides rapid information on economic developments, allowing comparisons with data from other countries. As an independent source from the government, its data are widely used across public media, along with reports and forecasts from the central bank and government ministries; and (3) the Czech Social Science Data Archive, which offers a research data catalogue.
Citations:
https://www.oecd.org/gov/digital-government/open-government-data.htm
https://www.dia.gov.cz/
There are several data catalogues in Czechia, including: (1) The National Open Data Catalogue, which features an interface with navigation via search, publisher, and tags; (2) the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO) Catalogue, which allows users to navigate data products based on type, date of release, theme, spatial and temporal granularity, and other criteria. The CZSO provides rapid information on economic developments, allowing comparisons with data from other countries. As an independent source from the government, its data are widely used across public media, along with reports and forecasts from the central bank and government ministries; and (3) the Czech Social Science Data Archive, which offers a research data catalogue.
Citations:
https://www.oecd.org/gov/digital-government/open-government-data.htm
https://www.dia.gov.cz/