# Czech Republic: new elections, new chances URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/news/czech-republic-new-elections-new-chances Type: News Published: 2013-08-21 Updated: 2019-11-19 --- 21 August 2013 On 20 August Czech Members of Parliament [voted](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23770593) to dissolve the lower house of parliament, after three months of political deadlock and crisis in the wake of a corruption scandal that forced former Prime Minister Petr Nečas to [resign](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/17/world/europe/czech-premier-to-resign-amid-scandal.html?_r=0) in June. There will be new elections in October. All parties now have a chance to outline for voters how they will strengthen the country’s governing institutions and continue the fight against corruption. The first challenge for politicians contesting the next election, however, will be how to restore public confidence in politics. Czech citizens are deeply distrustful of politicians, political parties and politics in general. Even before the latest scandal, Transparency International’s [Global Corruption Barometer 2013](http://www.transparency.org/gcb2013/country/?country=czech_republic) public opinion survey found that 59 per cent of respondents saw the parliament/legislature as corrupt or extremely corrupt, 71 per cent saw public officials and civil servants as corrupt or extremely corrupt, and 73 per cent felt that political parties were corrupt or extremely corrupt. Those contesting the next elections will need to guarantee the strength and independence of public prosecutors and the judiciary, ensure that those charged with corruption face trial, and demonstrate that the electoral process is free and fair. ### An end to impunity Restoring public trust requires those who have allegedly abused positions of power for personal gain – the Transparency International definition of corruption – to face trial, no matter what their positions. There should be no impunity for corruption. Recent actions against politicians by a more independent police force and judiciary demonstrate a positive shift in a country where the lines between politicians, business and the state are [blurred](http://blog.transparency.org/2013/06/18/czech-political-scandal-shows-a-strengthening-of-the-rule-of-law/). The impact of these developments may improve the political culture in the country. This new culture may reflect the desire to build stronger institutions and regulations, as suggested in the conclusion of the [Transparency Czech Republic National Integrity Study of 2011](http://www.transparency.org/news/pressrelease/20111208_czech_pillars). ### Holding firm Despite widespread support for the recent law enforcement actions to stop corruption, there are some worrying signs. Three former MPs arrested in June, who are alleged to have resigned their positions in parliament in return for lucrative state company jobs, have already had charges against them [dropped](http://www.ceskapozice.cz/domov/politika/mimoradne-blby-konec-kauzy-tluchor-snajdr-fuksa) on the grounds of parliamentary immunity. Other politicians have also complained that the judiciary is not sufficiently sensitive to peculiarities of political life, a euphemistic turn of phrase that appears to suggest that those in power want a two-tier justice system. “Instead of politicians expressing their confidence in the judiciary, some politicians began to attack law enforcement and prosecutors. They wanted a different approach in criminal justice for politicians than for normal citizens; freedom from political interference for law enforcement must be protected,” according to Radim Bureš, Programme Director of Transparency International Czech Republic. Former Prime Minister Nečas, who was elected on an anti-graft platform and is credited with distancing state institutions from politicians, spoke out against prosecutors after the police raids, calling the situation a “prosecutors’ *coup d’état*”. The judicial process against Jana Nagyova, the alleged mistress of Nečas and former government official at the heart of the corruption and spying scandal, will be a key test of the strength of the country’s institutions. In order to ensure that the campaigning in the run-up to the snap elections is accountable, [Transparency International Czech Republic](http://www.transparency.cz/en/) will be monitoring party sponsors and campaign costs, and looking at the incomes and expenditures of *each party.* Transparency International Czech Republic monitored the presidential campaign earlier this year, and plans to build on that experience. Our intention is to look into details of incomes and expenditures of each political party. We want to see disclosure of their main sponsors and supporters, their backgrounds and potential conflicts of interest, and all business dealings they have with the government." – [David Ondráčka](http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/ngos-plan-to-monitor-parties-campaign-spending), Executive Director, Transparency International Czech Republic ## Countries - [Czech Republic](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/czech-republic) For any press inquiries please contact ### You might also like... ## [CPI 2024 for Western Europe & EU: Leaders’ hollow efforts cause worsening corruption levels](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/cpi-2024-western-europe-eu-leaders-hollow-efforts-cause-worsening-corruption-levels) News • 11 February 2025 In fragile times, Europe's ability to combat corruption is falling short, hindering the bloc’s response to challenges that range from the climate crisis to fraying rule of law and… ## [CPI 2023 for Western Europe & EU: Rule of law and political integrity threats undermine action against corruption](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/cpi-2023-west-europe-european-union-rule-of-law-political-integrity-threats-undermine-action-against-corruption) News • 30 January 2024 Leaders are losing public trust as they undermine limits on their power and act without integrity. ## [Why can’t Western governments tell us what they’re actually doing to sanction Russian kleptocrats?](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/right-to-information-progress-with-sanctioning-russian-kleptocrats-assets) News • 28 September 2023 We are still waiting to hear back from countries about the measures they have taken to locate and seize assets. ## [CPI 2022 for Western Europe & EU: Undue influence and fragmented anti-corruption measures hurt progress](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/cpi-2022-western-europe-eu-corruption-undue-influence-hurt-progress) News • 31 January 2023 While once again the top-scoring region in the CPI, anti-corruption efforts have stalled in most countries for more than a decade.