Public Affairs (political party)

Early years

Founded in 2001, the party focused on local politics in Prague, particularly Prague 1, for most of its existence. In June 2009, Radek John was recruited as its chairman, and it emerged in late 2009 as a contender in the 2010 election, polling above the 5% threshold to win seats, and occasionally above KDU-ČSL and the Green Party. John competed with Karel Schwarzenberg for the title of the country's most popular politician.

In the election, VV received 10.9% of the vote, easily surpassing the 5% threshold, and won 24 seats. The party entered into a governing coalition with the country's two other centre-right parties: the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and TOP 09.

Party breakdown

In April 2011, Vít Bárta, Czech Minister of Transport, was accused of bribery by his party colleagues, deputies Jaroslav Škárka, Stanislav Huml, and Kristýna Kočí, who were subsequently expelled from the party. The incident caused serious problems in the Czech government coalition.

A lawsuit involving several members and deputies of the party began to be debated in court on 5 March 2012. Vít Bárta was accused by the State Prosecution of bribery and Jaroslav Škárka of receiving a bribe.

After Nečas's government collapsed, some members of Public Affairs split to form another party, LIDEM, hoping to continue their coalition with ODS and TOP 09, with Miroslava Němcová as Prime Minister. However, President Miloš Zeman refused and instead appointed Jiří Rusnok a caretaker Prime Minister. When this cabinet failed to win a confidence vote in the Chamber, the opposition called for dissolution of the Chamber and early elections. The remaining Public Affairs deputies voted in favour, and the motion of dissolution was passed with 143 out of 200 votes.

On 3 September 2013, Bárta announced that Public Affairs would not be standing in the October 2013 legislative election, leading to a split in the party's leadership. Some party members were later elected as candidates of Dawn of Direct Democracy.

In August 2015, the party announced its dissolution, with chairman Jiří Kohout stating that the party no longer had enough money to operate.

Election results

Chamber of Deputies

References

References

1. (14 July 2010). "Election 2010: New Czech Centre-Right Government Assumes Power, Eyes Reforms". [[IHS Inc..
2. Nordsieck, Wolfram. (2013). "Czech Republic".
3. Frank Chibulka. (2012). "Life in Post-Communist Eastern Europe after EU Membership". Routledge.
4. Marek, Dan. "The Czech Republic and the European Union". Routledge 2010.
5. Stojarová, Věra. (2011). "Paramilitary Structures in Eastern Europe". Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.
6. Havlík, Vlastimil. (16 April 2018). "Cleavages, Protest or Voting for Hope? The Rise of Centrist Populist Parties in the Czech Republic". [[Swiss Political Science Review]].
7. (28 June 2010). "Czech president appoints new PM". Irish Examiner.
8. Vazac, Rene. (2011). "Czech Republic: Crisis Postponed - Navigation to Recovery". Gabler.
9. Bakke, Elisabeth. (2011). "The Czech Party System: 20 Years after the Velvet Revolution". BWV.
10. Gardner, Andrew. (30 June 2010). "Deal struck on Czech government". [[European Voice]].
11. Watson, Peggy. (2 September 2010). "Czech female MPs have reduced politics by posing as pin-ups". [[The Guardian]].
12. (14 July 2010). "Election 2010: New Czech Centre-Right Government Assumes Power, Eyes Reforms". [[Global Insight]].
13. Fraňková, Ruth. (31 May 2010). "Public Affairs party remains a mystery to many". [[Radio Prague]].
14. Mueller, Robert. (29 May 2010). "Centre-right wins Czech election on austerity plan". Reuters.
15. Klausmann, Alexandra. (21 May 2010). "Tschechien: Jugend vereint gegen Linksparteien". [[Wiener Zeitung]].
16. (29 May 2010). ["Prague politics player Public Affairs enters lower house"](http://praguemonitor.com/2010/05/31/prague-politics-player-public-affairs-enters-lower-house }}{{dead link). [[Czech News Agency]].
17. (31 May 2010). "Czech parties hold coalition talks". [[Al Jazeera English.
18. (20 May 2010). "A song by Marta". [[The Economist]].
19. (7 April 2011). "VV vyhnaly Kočí z klubu i ze strany a vyzvaly ji: Vzdej se mandátu". [[Týden]].
20. (5 March 2012). "Zlomový okamžik pro VV: Začal soud s Bártou a Škárkou". [[ČT24]].
21. (3 September 2013). "Na protest proti spojenectví s Okamurou rezignovala Bártovi polovina vedení VV". [[novinky.cz]].
22. Kuba, František. (31 October 2013). "Odborníci: Vít Bárta pohořel, VV nyní reprezentuje jen Olga Havlová". [[Deník]].
23. (12 August 2015). "Věci veřejné končí, přemění se na spolek". [[novinky.cz]].