Diagonal Accountability
#8Key Findings
Czechia falls into the middle ranks internationally (rank 14) with regard to vertical accountability.
Political competition is robust at both the national and subnational levels, with transparent electoral procedures. The president is elected directly by citizens, with any eligible person over 40 years old able to run. The 2023 presidential election was declared free and fair by independent observers, and resulted in a runoff.
Parties must cross a 5% vote threshold to enter parliament. In 2021, no left-wing parties won seats for the first time since 1989. ANO, the main opposition party, has no members, and relies financially on leader Andrej Babiš. The governing coalition is diverse.
Freedom of information laws mandate public access to government information, though implementation is often slow, especially in smaller municipalities. Public bodies have improved compliance over time.
Political competition is robust at both the national and subnational levels, with transparent electoral procedures. The president is elected directly by citizens, with any eligible person over 40 years old able to run. The 2023 presidential election was declared free and fair by independent observers, and resulted in a runoff.
Parties must cross a 5% vote threshold to enter parliament. In 2021, no left-wing parties won seats for the first time since 1989. ANO, the main opposition party, has no members, and relies financially on leader Andrej Babiš. The governing coalition is diverse.
Freedom of information laws mandate public access to government information, though implementation is often slow, especially in smaller municipalities. Public bodies have improved compliance over time.
Graph View
Graph View
To what extent are the media free from government influence and able to act independently?
10
9
9
There are no disincentives, by law or in practice, for the media to criticize the government and public officials.
8
7
6
7
6
Existing disincentives, by law and in practice, pose no significant obstacles to the media in criticizing the government and public officials.
5
4
3
4
3
Existing disincentives, by law and in practice, pose some significant obstacles to the media in criticizing the government and public officials.
2
1
1
Existing disincentives, by law and in practice, pose various significant obstacles to the media in criticizing the government and public officials.
The Czech Republic has long been characterized by a significant degree of media freedom, partly due to the independence of public media and the foreign ownership of private media. However, the private media market has changed significantly over the past decade. The most critical changes have been the concentration of media ownership, the departure of several foreign media owners, and the expansion of media holdings to include print, online, radio, and television.
In recent years, print media readership has declined significantly, while online media has grown.
The MAFRA media group dominates the daily print media market, with an estimated 3.2 million readers. However, Prime Minister Babiš’s ownership of MAFRA and other media outlets led to biased reporting and possible self-censorship among journalists.
In 2023, Babiš sold MAFRA, which owns two large dailies (Mladá Fronta Dnes and Lidové Noviny), to an investment group owned by billionaire Karel Pražák. This sale was effectively forced by the adoption of an amendment to existing conflict-of-interest laws in August 2023. Previously, Babiš had protected his media holdings by placing them under the control of a fund he claimed was independent. However, changes insisted on by the EU, despite Babiš’s resistance, meant that as the ultimate beneficiary, he would still be judged the owner unless he could demonstrate otherwise. As an active politician, he could not own print media.
However, there is no equivalent restriction on a politician owning internet journals, which have more influence than print media.
The government does not censor media. Czech public TV is independent, overseen by an 18-member council chosen by parliament and intended to represent the country’s political, cultural, and regional diversity. Its composition has broadly fulfilled this aim. Public TV invites speakers and experts who represent independent views. When politicians or their proxies are invited to debate on public or private TV channels, they are mostly faced with representatives from the opposition. Current media, both private and public, are free to criticize the government and face no repercussions.
The government remains slow and ineffective in mitigating the spread of disinformation. The military intelligence service asked internet providers to block pro-Russian sites, but this was only a request and could be circumvented, although visits to those sites did appear to decrease. Chain emails and Russian-related bots remain a critical issue, contributing to polarization and radicalization, particularly targeting seniors. For example, during the second round of the 2023 presidential elections, a hoax that presidential candidate and eventual winner Petr Pavel had died was spread.
Formal protection for whistleblowers was mandated by an EU directive and should have been incorporated into Czech law by December 2021, but it faced opposition from parties within the government. The impact of such protection could be substantial, as survey evidence suggests that one-fifth of Czech citizens observe some form of corrupt practice or illegal activity. The law, as finally introduced, would provide protection only if a criminal offense was being committed that could result in a fine of at least CZK 100,000. Both ANO, the main opposition party, and STAN, a coalition member party, favored strengthening the law, while other government parties were swayed by arguments that it would create problems for businesses.
Citations:
Respekt. 2023. “Babiš se po deseti letech zbavil mediálního impéria.” https://www.respekt.cz/informacni-servis/babis-se-po-deseti-letech-zbavil-medialniho-imperia
https://www.transparency.cz/vlada-slibila-zakrocit-proti-stretu-zajmu-zatim-se-odvazila-jen-k-dilcim-krokum/
https://www.irozhlas.cz/zpravy-domov/whistleblower-zakon-prace-sikana-bossing_2302021150_bko
In recent years, print media readership has declined significantly, while online media has grown.
The MAFRA media group dominates the daily print media market, with an estimated 3.2 million readers. However, Prime Minister Babiš’s ownership of MAFRA and other media outlets led to biased reporting and possible self-censorship among journalists.
In 2023, Babiš sold MAFRA, which owns two large dailies (Mladá Fronta Dnes and Lidové Noviny), to an investment group owned by billionaire Karel Pražák. This sale was effectively forced by the adoption of an amendment to existing conflict-of-interest laws in August 2023. Previously, Babiš had protected his media holdings by placing them under the control of a fund he claimed was independent. However, changes insisted on by the EU, despite Babiš’s resistance, meant that as the ultimate beneficiary, he would still be judged the owner unless he could demonstrate otherwise. As an active politician, he could not own print media.
However, there is no equivalent restriction on a politician owning internet journals, which have more influence than print media.
The government does not censor media. Czech public TV is independent, overseen by an 18-member council chosen by parliament and intended to represent the country’s political, cultural, and regional diversity. Its composition has broadly fulfilled this aim. Public TV invites speakers and experts who represent independent views. When politicians or their proxies are invited to debate on public or private TV channels, they are mostly faced with representatives from the opposition. Current media, both private and public, are free to criticize the government and face no repercussions.
The government remains slow and ineffective in mitigating the spread of disinformation. The military intelligence service asked internet providers to block pro-Russian sites, but this was only a request and could be circumvented, although visits to those sites did appear to decrease. Chain emails and Russian-related bots remain a critical issue, contributing to polarization and radicalization, particularly targeting seniors. For example, during the second round of the 2023 presidential elections, a hoax that presidential candidate and eventual winner Petr Pavel had died was spread.
Formal protection for whistleblowers was mandated by an EU directive and should have been incorporated into Czech law by December 2021, but it faced opposition from parties within the government. The impact of such protection could be substantial, as survey evidence suggests that one-fifth of Czech citizens observe some form of corrupt practice or illegal activity. The law, as finally introduced, would provide protection only if a criminal offense was being committed that could result in a fine of at least CZK 100,000. Both ANO, the main opposition party, and STAN, a coalition member party, favored strengthening the law, while other government parties were swayed by arguments that it would create problems for businesses.
Citations:
Respekt. 2023. “Babiš se po deseti letech zbavil mediálního impéria.” https://www.respekt.cz/informacni-servis/babis-se-po-deseti-letech-zbavil-medialniho-imperia
https://www.transparency.cz/vlada-slibila-zakrocit-proti-stretu-zajmu-zatim-se-odvazila-jen-k-dilcim-krokum/
https://www.irozhlas.cz/zpravy-domov/whistleblower-zakon-prace-sikana-bossing_2302021150_bko
To what extent is a plurality of opinions in the media ensured?
10
9
9
There are no barriers, by law or in practice, to a pluralistic media landscape that represents all existing political perspectives in society.
8
7
6
7
6
Existing barriers, by law and in practice, pose no significant obstacles to the media in representing all relevant political perspectives in society.
5
4
3
4
3
Existing barriers, by law and in practice, pose some significant obstacles to the media in representing all relevant political perspectives in society.
2
1
1
Existing barriers, by law and in practice, pose various significant obstacles to the media in representing all relevant political perspectives in society.
The electoral law guarantees parties access to state radio and television, allocating a total of 14 hours for all parties to express their views, with equal time regardless of the party’s size or previous electoral performance. However, these presentations are often tedious and unlikely to capture viewers’ and listeners’ attention. Municipalities also provide billboards, and political advertisements appear in newspapers. Despite these provisions, there is a notable coverage bias toward larger parties, driven by their greater resources and perceived importance.
Coverage by private media is less balanced than that of public media. While oversight mechanisms exist for public TV and radio, such mechanisms are largely absent for private media, especially online. Private media are not explicitly attached to any particular political party, with the exception of Halo noviny, a newspaper linked to the Communist Party, which became a weekly publication in April 2022 and does not provide circulation figures.
Online media are even less rigorously controlled than print media, with no legal restrictions on ownership by an active politician. However, the number of outlets is large and the views covered are quite diverse. These outlets provide circulation figures in the form of page views and returning users. The most successful are novinky.cz – linked to the left-leaning daily Právo, which reported 47,082 daily sales in 2022 – and iDnes, linked to the Mafra group. Both recorded daily views and regular users in the millions.
Citations:
https://rating.gemius.com/cz/tree/2
Coverage by private media is less balanced than that of public media. While oversight mechanisms exist for public TV and radio, such mechanisms are largely absent for private media, especially online. Private media are not explicitly attached to any particular political party, with the exception of Halo noviny, a newspaper linked to the Communist Party, which became a weekly publication in April 2022 and does not provide circulation figures.
Online media are even less rigorously controlled than print media, with no legal restrictions on ownership by an active politician. However, the number of outlets is large and the views covered are quite diverse. These outlets provide circulation figures in the form of page views and returning users. The most successful are novinky.cz – linked to the left-leaning daily Právo, which reported 47,082 daily sales in 2022 – and iDnes, linked to the Mafra group. Both recorded daily views and regular users in the millions.
Citations:
https://rating.gemius.com/cz/tree/2
Graph View
To what extent are citizens able to freely form or join independent political and civic groups, openly raise and discuss political issues, and assemble without restrictions?
10
9
9
There are no barriers, by law or in practice to creating an engaged society and civil society organizations that are free to operate.
8
7
6
7
6
Existing barriers, by law and in practice, pose very few or no significant obstacles to creating an engaged society and civil society organizations that are free to operate.
5
4
3
4
3
Existing barriers, by law and in practice, pose some significant obstacles to the creation of an engaged society and civil society organizations that are free to operate.
2
1
1
Existing barriers, by law and in practice, pose various significant obstacles to the creation of an engaged society and civil society organizations that are free to operate.
Freedoms of association and assembly are fully guaranteed in the Czech Republic. The law on political parties and movements regulates the formation and registration of all political entities. As of April – October 2020, over 147,257 autonomous, self-organized groups, associations, foundations, and organizations are registered in the country, although not all are active.
The influx of refugees from Ukraine mobilized civil society; volunteers worked around the clock at the main arrival points, such as the Prague train station and key border crossings, to help refugees. In addition, small groups and individuals offered free transit from the Slovak-Ukraine borders. In the first half of 2022, Czechs donated CZK 4 billion (€168 million) to humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine.
The Ukrainian community also mobilized to provide translation services. In response to the refugee, energy, and financial crises, several anti-government protests took place, especially in Prague. Some of these protests, organized by parties and organizations with no representation in parliament, threatened to turn violent.
The extent of the right to peaceful protest was tested during a demonstration related to the conflict in Gaza, highlighting both the authorities’ power to declare protests illegal and the legal limits on their actions. Theologian and author Filip Outrata sought permission for a demonstration with the slogan “From the river to the sea Palestine will be free.” The Ministry of the Interior warned that propagating the slogan could be a criminal offense, and the Prague city administration banned the demonstration. However, on December 17, 2023, the municipal court ruled that the ban itself was not legal. After hearing from academic experts on political extremism, the court accepted that the slogan was not inherently anti-Semitic or a call to genocide. It was not solely used by Hamas and had different possible interpretations depending on the context.
Citations:
https://monitor.civicus.org/explore/cost-of-living-protesters-clash-with-police-austerity-measures-cause-discontent/
https://denikreferendum.cz/clanek/35939-rec-zalobce-proti-zakazu-hesla-svobodu-palestine-od-reky-az-k-mori
The influx of refugees from Ukraine mobilized civil society; volunteers worked around the clock at the main arrival points, such as the Prague train station and key border crossings, to help refugees. In addition, small groups and individuals offered free transit from the Slovak-Ukraine borders. In the first half of 2022, Czechs donated CZK 4 billion (€168 million) to humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine.
The Ukrainian community also mobilized to provide translation services. In response to the refugee, energy, and financial crises, several anti-government protests took place, especially in Prague. Some of these protests, organized by parties and organizations with no representation in parliament, threatened to turn violent.
The extent of the right to peaceful protest was tested during a demonstration related to the conflict in Gaza, highlighting both the authorities’ power to declare protests illegal and the legal limits on their actions. Theologian and author Filip Outrata sought permission for a demonstration with the slogan “From the river to the sea Palestine will be free.” The Ministry of the Interior warned that propagating the slogan could be a criminal offense, and the Prague city administration banned the demonstration. However, on December 17, 2023, the municipal court ruled that the ban itself was not legal. After hearing from academic experts on political extremism, the court accepted that the slogan was not inherently anti-Semitic or a call to genocide. It was not solely used by Hamas and had different possible interpretations depending on the context.
Citations:
https://monitor.civicus.org/explore/cost-of-living-protesters-clash-with-police-austerity-measures-cause-discontent/
https://denikreferendum.cz/clanek/35939-rec-zalobce-proti-zakazu-hesla-svobodu-palestine-od-reky-az-k-mori
To what extent do civil society organizations (CSOs) have the capacity to actively participate in the co-creation of relevant policies?
10
9
9
All the major CSOs active in the field have the capacity to shape public policies.
8
7
6
7
6
Most of the major CSOs active in the field have the capacity to shape public policies.
5
4
3
4
3
Few of the major CSOs active in the field have the capacity to shape public policies.
2
1
1
None of the major CSOs active in the field have the capacity to shape public policies.
In the Council for Economic and Social Accord, trade unions and employer associations actively comment on bills pertaining to social and economic issues during tripartite meetings with the government. The consultation process has become more transparent due to the electronic publication of legislative norms and regulations. Notably, major employers and trade unions possess substantial resources and expertise, enabling them to formulate coherent policies.
Trade unions and employers’ organizations often have differing aims and opinions on various issues. However, they are united in their support for this means of communication and issue joint statements when they feel ignored by the government, as seen in the early preparations for the government’s so-called consolidation package (discussed under Sustainable Budgeting Policies).
The main employers’ organization, the Union of Industry and Transport of the Czech Republic (Svaz průmyslu a dopravy České republiky, SPČR), has emphasized its opposition to higher business taxes and increased taxes on energy, claiming these harm the metallurgy and mineralogy industries. This organization consistently expresses opinions on current economic policy issues and lobbies the government and politicians both through and independently of the tripartite structures. It has persistently argued for government help in relaxing rules to allow the recruitment of more workers from abroad. This, along with many of its other demands, has not been a priority for trade unions.
For trade unions, the central issues have been the protection of living standards and public sector pay levels. To press these issues, the main trade union center, the Czech and Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (Českomoravská konfederace odborových svazů, ČMKOS), organized a day of protest on November 27, 2023, including a one-hour token work stoppage at some workplaces. This protest was linked with demonstrations by employees in education against the perceived threat of pay cuts. While this action has not led to immediate changes in government policy, there may be a long-term impact on a government with internal divisions and a stated commitment to improving the education system.
Citations:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-08/czech-unions-demand-up-to-10-wage-growth-as-inflation-slows
Trade unions and employers’ organizations often have differing aims and opinions on various issues. However, they are united in their support for this means of communication and issue joint statements when they feel ignored by the government, as seen in the early preparations for the government’s so-called consolidation package (discussed under Sustainable Budgeting Policies).
The main employers’ organization, the Union of Industry and Transport of the Czech Republic (Svaz průmyslu a dopravy České republiky, SPČR), has emphasized its opposition to higher business taxes and increased taxes on energy, claiming these harm the metallurgy and mineralogy industries. This organization consistently expresses opinions on current economic policy issues and lobbies the government and politicians both through and independently of the tripartite structures. It has persistently argued for government help in relaxing rules to allow the recruitment of more workers from abroad. This, along with many of its other demands, has not been a priority for trade unions.
For trade unions, the central issues have been the protection of living standards and public sector pay levels. To press these issues, the main trade union center, the Czech and Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (Českomoravská konfederace odborových svazů, ČMKOS), organized a day of protest on November 27, 2023, including a one-hour token work stoppage at some workplaces. This protest was linked with demonstrations by employees in education against the perceived threat of pay cuts. While this action has not led to immediate changes in government policy, there may be a long-term impact on a government with internal divisions and a stated commitment to improving the education system.
Citations:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-08/czech-unions-demand-up-to-10-wage-growth-as-inflation-slows
To what extent do civil society organizations (CSOs) have the capacity to actively participate in the co-creation of relevant policies?
10
9
9
All the major CSOs active in the field have the capacity to shape public policies.
8
7
6
7
6
Most of the major CSOs active in the field have the capacity to shape public policies.
5
4
3
4
3
Few of the major CSOs active in the field have the capacity to shape public policies.
2
1
1
None of the major CSOs active in the field have the capacity to shape public policies.
The best-organized section of the population concerned with welfare provision is pensioners. A large number of distinct organizations have individual members. Their activities span recreation, sport, welfare, and advisory services, and many also raise clearly political demands. The Rada seniorů České republiky (Council of Seniors of the Czech Republic, RSČR) brings together 17 all-state organizations, 16 regional organizations, 24 municipal organizations, and many more local pensioners’ clubs.
The council is represented, albeit in small numbers, in the advisory council on seniors and the aging population organized under the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, and one of its leading representatives also became an advisor to the relevant minister in 2022. The RSČR has presented clear and coherent political demands, most comprehensively prior to the last parliamentary elections in 2021. These demands include a call for pension reform to raise the share of pensions in GDP, restore the level of pensions relative to the average wage (which has declined markedly since 1989), reduce the required number of years to qualify for a full pension from 35 to 25, and ensure adequate provision for seniors in terms of health, housing, and other social services. This approach clearly differs from the direction taken by the Fiala government, as discussed in subsequent sections.
The RSČR’s latest report on political activity referred positively to its warm and easy contacts with Babiš when he had been prime minister and praised his government for raising the pension level. Relations with ministers in the Fiala government have also been described as correct, and the organization claimed in its report on activities in 2022 to have brought about several changes to proposed legislation. Nevertheless, these organizations probably have considerable political influence due to their ability to mobilize a substantial number of voters, likely to be dissatisfied with the Fiala government.
During the review period, a major controversy in the social welfare domain centered on same-sex marriage and adoption, with civil society organizations actively driving the agenda. Both proponents (We are Fair) and opponents (Alliance for Family) demonstrated significant organizational strength, including financial resources, policy experts, and media campaigns. Access to government and ministerial levels favored the Alliance for Family due to the Christian Democrats’ control of the social welfare portfolio. Despite greater public support for the legislation and backing from civil society organizations, including multinational corporations that addressed an open letter to the prime minister, opponents successfully delayed and currently prevent the adoption of the legislation. The introduction of last-minute surrogacy regulations further divided the proponents. While ministers from STAN and the Pirates openly supported same-sex marriage, the overall parliamentary votes, combined with the prime minister’s silence and the stance of the ODS and Christian Democrats, suggest opposition rather than ambivalence.
Citations:
https://www.rscr.cz/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Zpr%C3%A1va-p%C5%99edsedy-RS-%C4%8CR.pdf
https://www.rscr.cz/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/v%C3%BDro%C4%8Dn%C3%AD-zpr%C3%A1va-2022.pdf
https://english.radio.cz/it-reminds-us-we-still-have-some-things-fight-prague-pride-kick-monday-8790561
https://www.expats.cz/czech-news/article/large-global-corporations-call-on-czech-pm-to-accept-same-sex-marriage
The council is represented, albeit in small numbers, in the advisory council on seniors and the aging population organized under the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, and one of its leading representatives also became an advisor to the relevant minister in 2022. The RSČR has presented clear and coherent political demands, most comprehensively prior to the last parliamentary elections in 2021. These demands include a call for pension reform to raise the share of pensions in GDP, restore the level of pensions relative to the average wage (which has declined markedly since 1989), reduce the required number of years to qualify for a full pension from 35 to 25, and ensure adequate provision for seniors in terms of health, housing, and other social services. This approach clearly differs from the direction taken by the Fiala government, as discussed in subsequent sections.
The RSČR’s latest report on political activity referred positively to its warm and easy contacts with Babiš when he had been prime minister and praised his government for raising the pension level. Relations with ministers in the Fiala government have also been described as correct, and the organization claimed in its report on activities in 2022 to have brought about several changes to proposed legislation. Nevertheless, these organizations probably have considerable political influence due to their ability to mobilize a substantial number of voters, likely to be dissatisfied with the Fiala government.
During the review period, a major controversy in the social welfare domain centered on same-sex marriage and adoption, with civil society organizations actively driving the agenda. Both proponents (We are Fair) and opponents (Alliance for Family) demonstrated significant organizational strength, including financial resources, policy experts, and media campaigns. Access to government and ministerial levels favored the Alliance for Family due to the Christian Democrats’ control of the social welfare portfolio. Despite greater public support for the legislation and backing from civil society organizations, including multinational corporations that addressed an open letter to the prime minister, opponents successfully delayed and currently prevent the adoption of the legislation. The introduction of last-minute surrogacy regulations further divided the proponents. While ministers from STAN and the Pirates openly supported same-sex marriage, the overall parliamentary votes, combined with the prime minister’s silence and the stance of the ODS and Christian Democrats, suggest opposition rather than ambivalence.
Citations:
https://www.rscr.cz/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Zpr%C3%A1va-p%C5%99edsedy-RS-%C4%8CR.pdf
https://www.rscr.cz/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/v%C3%BDro%C4%8Dn%C3%AD-zpr%C3%A1va-2022.pdf
https://english.radio.cz/it-reminds-us-we-still-have-some-things-fight-prague-pride-kick-monday-8790561
https://www.expats.cz/czech-news/article/large-global-corporations-call-on-czech-pm-to-accept-same-sex-marriage
To what extent do civil society organizations (CSOs) have the capacity to actively participate in the co-creation of relevant policies?
10
9
9
All the major CSOs active in the field have the capacity to shape public policies.
8
7
6
7
6
Most of the major CSOs active in the field have the capacity to shape public policies.
5
4
3
4
3
Few of the major CSOs active in the field have the capacity to shape public policies.
2
1
1
None of the major CSOs active in the field have the capacity to shape public policies.
Environmental groups have historically exerted limited influence on national-level environmental policy due to restricted institutional channels to the government, sporadic access to parliamentarians, and evolving consultation processes at the ministerial level. Nevertheless, they are represented in some government advisory committees.
The Green Circle serves as an illustrative example, dedicated to monitoring laws and policies and coordinating legislative campaigns. On the transnational level, the Rainbow Movement (Hnuti Duha) is part of the EU umbrella organization Friends of the Earth. It has 42 permanent employees and an annual budget of CZK 21 million; half of this funding comes from 6,089 individual donors, a quarter from foreign foundations, and a very small amount from Czech state organs. It claims as its main success for 2023 the parliamentary discussion of a law on community energy.
Environmental groups have some influence, particularly when supporting the application of EU directives and raising public awareness on specific issues, such as the poisoning of the Bečva river, referenced under Effective Legislative Interventions.
Citations:
https://hnutiduha.cz/
The Green Circle serves as an illustrative example, dedicated to monitoring laws and policies and coordinating legislative campaigns. On the transnational level, the Rainbow Movement (Hnuti Duha) is part of the EU umbrella organization Friends of the Earth. It has 42 permanent employees and an annual budget of CZK 21 million; half of this funding comes from 6,089 individual donors, a quarter from foreign foundations, and a very small amount from Czech state organs. It claims as its main success for 2023 the parliamentary discussion of a law on community energy.
Environmental groups have some influence, particularly when supporting the application of EU directives and raising public awareness on specific issues, such as the poisoning of the Bečva river, referenced under Effective Legislative Interventions.
Citations:
https://hnutiduha.cz/