Will Czech Political Parties Open Their Doors to Foreigners?

The Czech Republic and Poland have been called out for breaching EU laws, following a landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice on November 19.

The court found both nations guilty of violating EU citizens’ rights by barring foreigners from joining political parties, a move that restricts their ability to run in local and European elections under the same conditions as nationals.

Under current Czech law, foreigners—including citizens from other EU member states—are prohibited from joining political parties or movements. While this may surprise some, this policy persists even in 2024, despite the Czech Republic’s status as a liberal democracy.

This rule affects not only non-EU citizens but also Slovaks and other long-term EU residents, raising questions about fairness and inclusivity in Czech political life.

Limited Participation in Political Life

A skeptic might ask: why would a foreigner want to join a Czech political party? The answer lies in how political influence works. Without party membership, foreigners lack the tools to engage fully in municipal and European elections, despite having the legal right to vote and run for office.

This poses a paradox: EU residents in the Czech Republic can stand for election but must do so as independents. Without party support, their chances of securing leadership roles or winning elections diminish significantly.

For instance, forming electoral coalitions or earning prime positions on candidate lists is far easier within a party structure. Denying foreigners this access essentially limits their role in the democratic process.

Legal Barriers to Inclusion

The Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, part of the Czech Constitution, reserves political party membership exclusively for Czech citizens (Article 20, Paragraph 2). Similarly, the Act on Association in Political Parties specifies that only Czech citizens aged 18 or older can join.

Yet, EU residents with permanent status already enjoy significant political rights in the Czech Republic. They can vote in municipal and European Parliament elections and even run as candidates. Extending party membership to these individuals seems only logical to align with their voting rights.

The European Commission began addressing Czechia’s restrictions in 2012 by opening formal proceedings for breaching EU rules.

Despite repeated criticism, Czechia has maintained that its laws comply with EU regulations.

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