The Civic Democratic Party (ODS) is a Czech political party founded in 1991 that, in its programme, identifies with a liberal-conservative current.[1]
Founding and organisation
The party has existed since 1991. Since then it has built a four-tier organisational structure made up of local, district and regional associations, covering the whole territory of the Czech Republic.[1] By its own description it is among the largest right-wing parties on the Czech political scene, and its representatives serve at all levels of self-government.[1]
Programme principles
ODS describes itself as a party that builds on European Christian civilisation, on the democratic heritage of the First Republic and on the experience of Western democracies.[1] Among the values it promotes are individual freedom, the rule of law and the free market. In practical politics it stresses private property, low taxes, enterprise, curbing bureaucracy, a small and secure state, protection of privacy, sound public finances and a future free of debt.[1]
In foreign policy the party regards strong transatlantic ties as essential, both for the security of the Czech Republic and for the spread of freedom and democracy in the world. Towards the European Union it takes a position that, in its words, stresses competitiveness and effective cooperation while defending the national interests of the Czech Republic.[1]
International memberships
In 1992 ODS became a member of the European Democrat Union, which brought together European liberal, conservative and Christian democratic parties. In 2001 it was admitted, as the first Czech political party, to the International Democrat Union, a grouping of conservative and liberal parties from various countries.[1]
In the European Parliament, ODS was part of the European People's Party – European Democrats group from 2004 to 2009, where it belonged to the European Democrats subgroup. After the 2009 elections it founded, together with the British Conservatives, the Polish party Law and Justice and other partners, a new parliamentary group, the European Conservatives and Reformists. In the same year it also took part in founding the Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe, which, according to the party's website, seeks to reform the European Union and opposes its federalisation. Jan Zahradil has chaired the alliance since its founding in 2010.[1]
Membership
According to an overview by Česká televize of 5 August 2024, the membership of most parties represented in the Chamber of Deputies was shrinking, and all seven parties together had fewer than fifty thousand members. ODS lost 430 members year on year. The party's deputy chairman and Minister of Transport, Martin Kupka, said that a slight decline in party membership can be observed in other countries as well.[2]
Sources
- Občanská demokratická strana
- Česká televize — 5 August 2024