Join us online from 9:30 to 10:30 CEST on 8 October 2021
As Czechs prepare to elect a new parliament on 8 and 9 October, local issues on the rule of law come into full view.
Unlike its fellow Visegrad Four members Hungary and Poland or its regional partners Bulgaria and Romania, the Czech Republic is seldom mentioned as a country with a rule of law problem. With no systematic backsliding on the rule of law and little in the way of a full-scale political takeover of the judiciary, Prague seems to be the least problematic of the V4.
But the rule of law picture in the Czech Republic is far from idyllic. Questions on judicial oversight of covid-19 measures, the independence of prosecutors, high-level corruption and press freedom are just some of the issues facing the country.
Have the Czech Republic’s problems run unchecked because they were eclipsed by those of naughtier neighbours? How could the election results impact the country’s rule of law challenges?
We explored these issues with our panellists:
- Andrea Procházková, Journalist and Legal Expert at Týdeník Respekt
- David Ondráčka, Member of the Global Board of Directors of Transparency International
The event was moderated by Jakub Jaraczewski, Research Coordinator at Democracy Reporting International.
View the full recording of the event here
This event is held as part of the re:constitution programme funded by Stiftung Mercator.
Photo credit: Michal Kmínek