The most important political parties in Czechia
Current government coalition
ODS (Občanská demokratická strana) (Civic Democratic Party)
Foto: ODS
Founded in 1991 by Václav Klaus, the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) is a major center-right party in Czech politics, known for its support of free markets, fiscal responsibility, and conservative values. It holds 34 seats in the 200-member Chamber of Deputies and leads the governing alliance SPOLU, formed with KDU-ČSL and TOP 09. ODS is a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists and supports strong NATO ties, economic liberalism, and a firm pro-Western stance. Under Prime Minister Petr Fiala since 2021, it has focused on tax reform, defense, and backing Ukraine. SPOLU remains united and will contest the 2025 elections as a joint center-right platform.
KDU-ČSL (Křesťanská a demokratická unie – Československá strana lidová) (Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party)
Foto: CTK/Glück Dalibor
The Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People’s Party is one of the oldest political parties in the Czech Republic, founded in 1919. It promotes Christian democracy, social responsibility, and environmental protection, positioning itself in the political center. KDU-ČSL supports a social market economy, pro-European policies, and traditional family values. The party draws voters from both rural and urban areas who value Christian ethics, social justice, and sustainability. It has regularly participated in coalition governments and is currently part of the governing alliance SPOLU, alongside the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and TOP 09. In 2024, Marek Výborný became party leader, replacing Marian Jurečka. KDU-ČSL holds 23 seats in the 200-member Chamber of Deputies. The SPOLU alliance plans to continue working together for the 2025 parliamentary elections.
TOP09 (Tradice Odpovědnost Prosperita 09) (Tradition, Responsibility, Prosperity 09)
Foto: TOP09
Founded in 2009 by Miroslav Kalousek and Karel Schwarzenberg, TOP 09 is a center-right, pro-European party promoting liberal conservatism, fiscal responsibility, and democratic values. It holds 14 seats in the 200-member Chamber of Deputies and is part of the governing SPOLU alliance with ODS and KDU-ČSL. The party appeals to voters who support the EU, balanced budgets, and investment in education and innovation. Led by Markéta Pekarová Adamová, TOP 09 plays a key role in shaping the coalition’s liberal-conservative policies. SPOLU remains united and plans to run together again in the 2025 elections.
STAN (Starostové a nezávislí) (Mayors and Independents)
Foto: Twitter @Vit_Rakusan
Founded in 2004 and led by Vít Rakušan, Mayors and Independents (STAN) emphasizes local governance, decentralization, and pro-European liberalism. It holds 33 seats in the 200-member Chamber of Deputies and is part of the current governing coalition. STAN appeals to voters focused on community issues, education, and regional development. The party advocates for transparency, innovation, and EU cooperation. In 2021, it ran in coalition with the Czech Pirate Party and joined the government with Rakušan as Minister of the Interior. Ahead of the 2024 European elections, STAN aligned with Renew Europe, reinforcing its liberal, pro-EU platform.
Parties not in government
ANO (Akce nespokojených občanů) (Action of Dissatisfied Citizens)
Foto: Filip Jandourek
Founded in 2011 by businessman Andrej Babiš as an anti-establishment movement. ANO positions itself between the center and center-right, combining elements of populism and technocratic governance. It emphasizes economic growth, administrative efficiency, and pragmatic, flexible policies. The party governed from 2014 to 2021, first in coalition and later as a minority government under Babiš. Since the 2021 elections, it has been the largest opposition party. Its core support comes from older voters, rural areas, and citizens frustrated with traditional politics. In the 200-member Chamber of Deputies, ANO currently holds 72 seats.
Motoristé (Motoristé sobě) (Motorists for Themselves)
Foto: Motoristé sobě
Founded in 2022, Motoristé sobě is a right-wing populist party focused on defending motorists’ interests and opposing environmental regulations. It promotes national sovereignty, Euroscepticism, traditional energy sources, and the Czech koruna. The party’s slogan is “auta, uhlí, koruna” (“cars, coal, crown”). Though it holds no seats in the Chamber of Deputies, it gained visibility through a joint candidacy with Přísaha in the 2024 European elections, winning two seats. In 2025, it plans to run independently in the national elections under leader Petr Macinka, while continuing cooperation with Přísaha and minor right-wing parties. Recent polling suggests the party may cross the 5% threshold needed to enter parliament.
Piráti (Česká pirátská strana) (Czech Pirate Party)
Foto: Seznam Zprávy
Founded in 2009, the Czech Pirate Party promotes transparency, digital rights, and participatory democracy. Positioned on the center-left, it supports progressive policies, environmental sustainability, and open government. In the 2021 elections, it ran in coalition with STAN, winning 4 seats out of 200. Pirate leader Ivan Bartoš served as Minister for Regional Development until the party left the government in late 2024 over internal disagreements. Its core voters are younger, urban professionals focused on civil liberties and innovation. The party remains active in municipal and European politics and aims to rebuild support ahead of the 2025 elections.
Přísaha
Foto: Renata Matějková, Seznam Zprávy
Founded in 2021 by former anti-corruption police officer Robert Šlachta, Přísaha is a right-wing populist and Eurosceptic movement focused on transparency and fighting corruption. It appeals to voters disillusioned with political elites and promotes stronger accountability in public institutions. Přísaha holds no seats in the Chamber of Deputies but gained attention in the 2024 European elections through a joint list with Motoristé sobě, winning 10.26% of the vote. In 2025, it plans to run independently while maintaining cooperation with smaller right-leaning parties. Polls show it nearing or passing the 5% threshold for parliamentary entry.
SocDem (CSSD)
Foto: ČTK
Founded in 1878, Social Democracy (formerly ČSSD) is a historic center-left party advocating for social justice, public services, and workers’ rights. It lost all parliamentary seats in 2021 and currently holds no seats in the Chamber of Deputies. The party rebranded as SOCDEM in 2023 to modernize its image and broaden its appeal. Traditionally supported by working-class and public sector voters, it now seeks to rebuild under new leader Jana Maláčová, elected in 2024. SOCDEM remains pro-European and focuses on progressive taxation, welfare, and environmental sustainability, aiming to form a broader left-wing coalition for the 2025 elections.
SPD (Svoboda a přímá demokracie) (Freedom and Direct Democracy)
Foto: Michal Turek, Seznam Zprávy
Founded in 2015 by Tomio Okamura, Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) is a right-wing populist party emphasizing national sovereignty, anti-immigration policies, and direct democracy. It holds 20 seats in the 200-member Chamber of Deputies. The party is critical of the EU, opposes immigration—especially from Muslim-majority countries—and promotes referendums and citizen-led decision-making. SPD has not joined any government but maintains a strong opposition presence. In 2024, it left the ID group in the European Parliament to join a new alliance led by Germany’s AfD. SPD remains a vocal force on issues of identity, sovereignty, and EU relations.
Stačilo / KSČM
Foto: Michaela Rambousková, Seznam Zprávy
The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM), a successor to the pre-1989 ruling party, currently holds no seats in the Chamber of Deputies after losing representation in 2021. In 2023, it formed the Stačilo! (“Enough!”) alliance with other minor parties and independents. The coalition is left-wing to far-left, eurosceptic, and critical of mainstream politics. It opposes the EU Green Deal, sanctions on Russia, and arms support for Ukraine, while promoting social justice and national sovereignty. KSČM appeals mainly to older and rural voters and seeks to regain relevance through broader anti-establishment cooperation. The coalition won 9.56% in the 2024 European elections.
Svobodní (Free (wo)men)
Foto: Svobodni
Founded in 2009 by economist Petr Mach, Svobodní (Free Citizens’ Party) promotes classical liberalism, minimal state intervention, and strong individual freedoms. It currently holds no seats in the Chamber of Deputies but maintains local representation in several municipal councils. Led by Libor Vondráček, the party is right-libertarian and firmly Eurosceptic, favoring Czech sovereignty and reduced EU influence. Its policies focus on tax cuts, deregulation, and limited government. Though unsuccessful in the 2024 European elections, Svobodní continues to appeal to voters seeking smaller government and more personal freedom in public life.
Trikolora (Three color)
Foto: Svobodni
Founded in 2019 by Václav Klaus Jr., Trikolóra is a right- to far-right national-conservative party advocating for Czech sovereignty, traditional values, and a free-market economy. It holds no seats in the Chamber of Deputies but remains active in local politics. Strongly Eurosceptic, the party promotes minimal state intervention and cooperation among sovereign European nations rather than EU centralization. In 2024, Trikolóra ran a joint list with SPD in the European elections, earning 5.73% but no seats. Backed by Václav Klaus Sr., the party continues to appeal to voters critical of the EU and focused on national priorities.
Zelení (Strana zelených) (The Greens)
Foto: Zeleni
Founded in 1990, the Green Party (Strana zelených) advocates for environmental sustainability, social justice, and human rights. It currently holds no seats in the Chamber of Deputies, last entering parliament in 2006. Positioned on the center-left, the party supports renewable energy, equal opportunity, and minority rights. It appeals to urban, progressive voters concerned with ecology and ethics in governance. Although it failed to gain seats in the 2024 European elections (1.55%), it remains active in grassroots campaigns under leader Johanna Nejedlová, working to rebuild its political presence in Czech and European politics.