SPOLU (ODS+KDU+TOP09)
Political Position:
SPOLU positions itself as center-right to moderate conservative, advocating for pro-European policies, fiscal responsibility and economic liberalism, conservative values, support for NATO, and liberal democracy.
Seats in Parliament:
71 seats
It is the largest grouping in parliament and is the dominant force in the current government.
History:
SPOLU (meaning “Together”) was established ahead of the 2021 parliamentary elections as a center-right electoral alliance aimed at countering the populist dominance of ANO parties.
Performance:
SPOLU has had to navigate a turbulent term, stabilizing public finances whilst supporting pandemic recovery, dealing with the war in Ukraine, inflation, and internal personel struggles. It has delivered some public sector reform, anti-corruption measures, pension reform, energy and economic growth policies and social policy reform, but not all. Slow domestic reform delivery, corruption allegations, and economic difficulties mean the coalitions popularity has taken a hit. It hopes its dependable institutional experience, alignment with Western values, and a commitment to pragmatic governance will win over enough voters to continue in government.
Voters:
A broad base of center-right and moderate voters, particularly:
- urban professionals
- small business owners
- older voters valuing democratic continuity and European integration
- ODS in particular: larger cities and affluent regions
- KDU-ČSL: rural and religiously conservative areas
- TOP 09: liberal-conservative voters in metropolitan areas
Perception on Corruption:
SPOLU presents itself as a bulwark against the erosion of democratic norms, particularly in contrast to the ANO era. Individual parties within SPOLU have faced a number of corruption allegations, both in the 2000s and in the past 4 years.