TEPSA Briefs – June 2019 Czech citizens’ and parties’ attitude towards the EU in the 2019 European election campaign
Trans European Policy Studies Association TEPSA Briefs – June 2019 Czech citizens’ and parties’ attitude towards the EU in the 2019 European election campaign
Daniela Lenčéš Chalániová*
European Parliament elections in the Czech Republic economic transformation and a winner of confirm deep-seated beliefs about European integration and Czech role in the institutions rather than facts. The democratic transition compared with its less biggest political parties play to the popular tune of “us fortunate neighbours. It seems that in the last 15 vs. Brussels” so much so that conservatives are barely distinguishable from populists as well as from social years Czechs have lost their European drive just democrats. The only party standing out are the outlying as the European Union plunged into yet another Pirates. decade of crises.
Introduction In the protracted Lisbon treaty ratification, the Czech president Vaclav Klaus was the last person In the run-up to European Parliament elections, to attach his signature after a series of Czechs are trying to reconcile calls for reform constitutional complaints effectively holding the with keeping things as they are: membership rest of the EU members “hostage” from reform. with nationalism, prosperity without limitations, During the economic and fiscal crises that swept security without much responsibility. Unrealistic the Economic and Monetary Union, Czechs political posturing reveals just how divided and observed from the sidelines, keeping the Czech just how removed the Czech public is from day- koruna exchange rates low and patting to-day European politics. themselves on the back for being the smarter for Keeping the EU at a distance avoiding the expense of rescuing Greece and other states in dire straits. The 2016 migration Czech relationship with the European Union is a crisis sparked yet another division of opinion perplexing one: 15 years from EU enlargement, when the Czech Republic along with Hungary, the Czech Republic is no longer the frontrunner Slovakia and Romania voted against the asylum of the accession process, the poster child of
* Daniela Lenčéš Chalániová is the Dean of the School of International Relations & Diplomacy at the Anglo-American University in Prague. All the opinions expressed in this briefing are the sole view of the author, and do not represent the position of the Anglo-American University nor of the Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA). TEPSA Briefs – June 2019 Czech citizens’ and parties’ attitude towards the EU in the 2019 European election campaign
seekers relocation scheme. This confirmed that Media information on European policies is Czech membership in a somewhat reluctant bloc sporadic: none of the mainstream newspapers of V4 countries was increasingly at odds with report on EU affairs daily;2 civic education in underlying European values, as manifested also primary and secondary schools on EU by the support shown to Poland during a institutions and Czech role in the EU is just pro European Commission infringement procedure forma; and the country is host to dozens of fake against its Law on Ordinary Courts (2017) or to news servers easily feeding off of popular myths Hungary during a Commission infringement about the EU. procedure related to the country’s asylum For a long time, the Czech political elite pursued policies, criminalisation of the third sector for support to asylum seekers and general breach of a lacklustre European policy based on a mantra 3 the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (2018). of economic benefits. Politically though, the discourse seems to echo a historical narrative of While most Czechs still prefer EU membership to Czechs being the victims of stronger a “Czexit”, they remarkably remain one of the neighbouring powers,4 being too small to make staunchly Eurosceptic nations in Europe with any substantial impact in EU, so why even try? levels of dissatisfaction and (lack) of trust in the According to sociologists, similar attitudes lead EU comparable or even surpassing those of to a kind of self-absorption and isolationism5 or currently Brexiting Britain.1 Czechs also “externalization” of Europe.6 recorded the second lowest turnout in the 2014 European Parliament elections. Such attitudes Under such circumstances, the Czech debate on might be puzzling, but not entirely surprising. EU politics remains on the one hand highly 7 Public knowledge about the European Union, its abstract and technocratic – a subject for functions, policy agenda, goals or even about “experts” – and thus out of reach for most. On Czech representation’s achievements is low. the other hand, the “general” debate reaches
1 Eurobarometer, Spring 2018 p13. Czech Republic ranks the 3rd 3 The Czech Republic is a net beneficiary of EU funds, as well as lowest after Greece with 69%, UK with 57% and CZ with 56% of an export-oriented economy profiting from open borders. population not trusting the EU institutions: 4 Being ruled by the Habsburgs, then betrayed by the West and https://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/index.cfm occupied by the Nazi Germany only to be “saved” by the Soviet /ResultDoc/download/DocumentKy/83548. The most recent poll Russia for 40 years caught in a slogan: O nas bez nas (“About us from Spring 2019 shows that only 33% of Czechs think without us”). membership in the EU is a good thing and 24% percent would 5 https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/domaci/serial-evropska-unie- straight away leave: myty-euromyty-smernice-ceske-vyrobky-ceska- https://www.europarl.europa.eu/spain/resource/static/files/PD identita.A180605_105910_domaci_jkk F/2019/eb911_sp_eurobarometer_en_web.pdf. On long-term 6 For more on externalization and contributing factors, please Eurosceptic trends, see for instance an interview with Petr see Michal Koran’s analysis of Central European countries’ Kratochvíl of IIR at European politics: http://europeum.org/data/articles/ivf- https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1060236/EU-news- koran.pdf European-Union-Czech-Republic-UK-euroscepticism-latest or 7 Technical topics such as percentages of biofuel additives, EU Jan Kovar’s throughs on Euroscepticism at: https://emerging- regional funds allocation schemes or even understanding the europe.com/voices/euroscepticism-rise-czech-republic/. legislative process itself in light of the asylum seekers 2 The distinction is between domestic and international rubrics redistribution mechanism! only.
TEPSA Briefs – June 2019 Czech citizens’ and parties’ attitude towards the EU in the 2019 European election campaign
often absurd levels blowing “butter” spread, prolific with regards to their legislative cucumbers, light bulbs or drinking straw myths activities.”11 out of context and out of proportion. In such socio-political environment, it is thus quite easy Another high-profile Czech in EU institutions is to play the “praise the acting government/blame Commissioner Věra Jourová, who is in charge of it on Brussels” policy game; populists, including an influential portfolio covering Justice, the prime minister and his party, benefit from Consumers and Gender Equality. She is involved 12 splitting the population into two opposing in key policy areas such as digital agenda, camps of “Eurohujers”8, “Truthlovers”9 and the energy and social dialogue. This year she was named among top 100 most influential people common-sense folk. by the TIME magazine.13 On the other hand, Facts of Czech EU Life even though not formally involved in European policy-making, the positive Czech image in As a matter of fact, in day-to-day European Europe is challenged by a xenophobic, pro- institutional processes the Czech representation Russian president supported by half of the is not doing such a bad job at all! According to electorate and abovementioned disinformation Vote Watch Europe, the Czech parliamentarians webs. “got the second highest average influence per MEP in the European Parliament.”10 The Czech Main party positions during the 2019 EU election delegation consists of 21 parliamentarians, campaign nevertheless it includes some long-term MEPs in leadership positions: Pavel Telička, Pavel So how did the 2019 European Parliament Svoboda, Petr Ježek, Pavel Poc or Jan Zahradil. election campaign look like under these According to Vote Watch Europe: “Interestingly, circumstances? Let us start with the prime Czech members scored the highest when it minister’s ANO party, considered populist by 14 comes to influence exerted through formal some. “The priority is EU reform!” ANO claims. leadership positions in the European It wants a Europe of stronger member states, Parliament’s bodies (bureau, committees, clearly delineated competences among the groups, etc.), whereas they have been less institutions, a “depoliticised” European
8 A derogatory term to describe supporters of European political coordinator of S&D in the special PEST committee) and integration – a “Eurofile”. Jan Zahradil (President and Spitzenkandidat of the ACRE party): 9 A derogatory term for liberals rooted in Vaclav Havel’s famous https://www.votewatch.eu/blog/top-100-most-influential-eu- motto: Truth and love must prevail over lies and hatred. parliamentarians/ 10 https://www.votewatch.eu/blog/top-100-most-influential- 12 Including the General Data Protection Regulation and eu-parliamentarians/ regulation of Facebook or Google. 11 Pavel Telička (Vice-President of the European Parliament), 13 Time Magazine top 100 Influential People: Pavel Svoboda (Chair of the Committee on Legal Affairs), Petr http://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2019/ Jezek (Chair of the Special committee on financial crimes, tax 14 ANO EP elections programme: evasion and tax avoidance), Pavel Poc (Vice-Chair of ENVI and https://www.anobudelip.cz/file/edee/ke-stazeni/ano-cesko- ochranime.pdf
TEPSA Briefs – June 2019 Czech citizens’ and parties’ attitude towards the EU in the 2019 European election campaign
Commission and a stronger European Council15 delineation of roles and institutional giving the European Commission a mandate to competences, in other words making sure which act, rather than allowing it to take concrete policy areas are suitable for EU supranational initiatives. In other words, this party is clearly governance, and which ones are better pushing Czech European politics in an governed at home. Curiously enough, one can intergovernmental direction, seeing EU read between the lines of their programme the institutions as “servants” of the member states. approval for differentiated integration. TV Protecting national interests was best caught in campaigns nevertheless imitated ANO’s PR the campaign motto: “We Will Protect Czech style: rely on our experience20 and common Republic. Hard and Without Compromise”. This sense. relates also to protection of the Schengen area,16 different quality of groceries sold under The Social Democrats, ANO’s coalition the same label,17 greater liberalisation of government partner, remained somewhat services, etc. A big request relates to the subdued – actually without an official EP European budget and EU structural funds, the election programme(!), echoing the popular 21 common denominator being: Czechs (i.e. a themes from its coalition partner: Czech Czech government lead by ANO) want to decide national interest, secure Schengen area, no to themselves where to invest the money.18 double standards, less bureaucracy. Unlike ANO, the Social Democrats want to support green The main opposition party Civic Democratic projects protecting water and soil. Party (ODS) campaigned in a similar vein: more power to the members states as they are the The fourth prolific party that played a role in the 22 only sources of legitimate power19 (including 2019 election campaign is the Pirates greater competences on redirecting structural (opposition), who campaigned for more and cohesion funds). In a classic liberal vein, the freedom, an “upgrade” of EU governance, more EU institutions are there for the member states wealth, more sustainability and more justice. and not the other way around. Just like ANO, the Quite predictably they call for more digital Civic Democrats campaigned for a clear freedom, reform of copyright laws, more investments into technology, and better and
15https://www.vlada.cz/cz/clenove- 18 Paradoxically Prime Minister billionaire Andrej Babis is vlady/premier/projevy/projev-predsedy-vlady-na-konferenci- currently investigated by the European Commission for a conflict 15-let-clenstvi-ceske-republiky-v-evropske-unii-173770/ of interest: being in a position to influence the direction of 16 In 2017 migration and security were the topics which helped structural funds and being connected with the biggest the party achieve a victory in the parliamentary elections. consortium of chemical and agricultural producers in the country 17 Double standard of the same food products is a relevant Agrofert (currently in a trust fund). popular concern, nevertheless some pundits point out this is 19 https://www.ods.cz/volby2019/program-evropske-desatero quite a bit hypocritical as the food manufacturing companies in 20 Jan Zahradil is a household name, embodying a successful MEP the prime minister’s trust fund are not particularly known for (see above) and also a Spitzenkandidat for the next Commission. quality products (Marek Švehla in Respekt 20/2019 21 https://www.cssd.cz/data/files/volby-do-ep-argumentar- https://www.respekt.cz/tydenik/2019/20/milka-s-krenem-a- final.pdf horcici) 22 https://www.pirati.cz/program/europarlament2019.html
TEPSA Briefs – June 2019 Czech citizens’ and parties’ attitude towards the EU in the 2019 European election campaign
more transparent communication with EU These themes seem to have found resonance representatives. They also propose online with the public at last, as the election turnout commentaries on legislative proposals. The increased by 10% to 28.72% (still third lowest in Pirates’ priorities also include the reform of the the EU23). Predictably, ANO won the election Common Agricultural Policy (in connection with gaining 6 seats, followed by the Civic Democrats environmental protection and support for small with 4, while the Pirates won 3 seats. The rest of and medium-sized farmers), better waste the seats were divided between liberals, radical management and use of technologies to right and communists. The Social Democratic decrease fossil fuel dependency. In terms of party lost its 4 seats and will not have a justice, they advocate for equal chances for men representation in the EP at all. and women, equal access to digital services and fair job market. It is the only party which does These results should nevertheless be taken with not imitate others and which clearly formulates a grain of salt: it remains to be seen to what its own priorities. extent it is even possible to reform the EU institutional roles without renegotiating primary Conclusion law. It also remains unclear how the ANO party wants to reconcile popular expectations of a The 2019 European Parliament elections European policy “without compromise” with the campaign in Czech Republic revolved essentially day-to-day modus operandi of European around three issues: first, national interest – institutions based on coalition building and ideally a reform or redefinition of roles of compromises. Surely a less detached, gullible European institutions towards giving a greater electorate and less “externalised” European say to member states. Second, a secure debate would support greater citizen knowledge Schengen area with member states deciding on and participation in shared governing of migration matters. Third, second class – second European affairs. class quality food, implicitly also second class “membership” relating back to defence of national interest vis-à-vis Brussels.
23 https://election-results.eu/turnout/
TEPSA Briefs – June 2019 Czech citizens’ and parties’ attitude towards the EU in the 2019 European election campaign
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