Jan Hornát - openDemocracy

Tibet, symbolism and the Czech Republic

Czech President Milos Zeman recently labelled pro-Tibet protestors "mentally ill" during a visit of the Chinese President to the Czech Republic. What does this say about Zeman and Czech society?

By Jan Hornát

/ 28 Apr 2016

The Prague Café: a brief incursion into Czech presidential discourse

What is the 'Prague Café', and why has it become the Czech President's insult of choice for his opponents?

By Jan Hornát

/ 11 Nov 2015

A reflection on Czech Euroscepticism before the EU elections

Euroscepticism seems to be a constant in the Czech political landscape. How will this reluctance toward the EU affect the upcoming European elections? Euro elections landscape, 2014.

By Jan Hornát

/ 16 Jan 2014

Who holds power after the Czech elections?

The ANO party of billionaire Andrej Babis came a close second in last month's Czech elections. Is the political life of the Czech Republic about to be berlusconised?

By Jan Hornát

/ 4 Dec 2013

A Czech election with consequences

With a number of new parties seeking to win seats and an anticipated victory of the left, the upcoming parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic might lead to the biggest change in the country's political map since the 1989 revolution.

By Jan Hornát

/ 14 Oct 2013

Czech Republic: when a political scandal is a sign of better times

In June, PM Petr Necas and his cabinet resigned after a major political scandal. In spite of the current uncertainty and power play between political parties, may this also be a sign that democratic accountability and the rule of law have finally come to the young republic?

By Jan Hornát

/ 4 Jul 2013

Russian vodka and Czech crown jewels

Despite his vow to uplift Czech political life, new president Milos Zeman made no excuses for his 'tired and emotional' appearance at a highly symbolic state event. His call for closer ties with Russia have raised further concerns in a traditionally anti-Russian society.

By Jan Hornát

/ 17 May 2013

EU flag over Prague Castle

Milos Zeman, the new president of the Czech Republic, has clearly distanced himself from the Eurosceptic views of his predecessor. Yet, a recent standoff with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows unexpected tension over foreign policy might be just around the corner.

By Jan Hornát

/ 25 Apr 2013

Reconstructing the Czech state

While clientelism, corruption and nepotism are still an ailing element of post-communist political reality in the Czech Republic, a new civic initiative seeks to bring more transparency and accountability to the Czech state. Can it succeed?

By Jan Hornát

/ 27 Mar 2013

Czech presidential vote: a society divided

This Saturday's election saw the victory of former PM Milos Zeman over current Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg. The duel between a decried populist and an old-school aristocrat revealed a division previously unseen in modern Czech society.

By Jan Hornát

/ 30 Jan 2013

Czech nuclear power in the shadow of geopolitics

The upgrade of Temelin, a nuclear power station, has become the backdrop of a power struggle between the Unites States and Russia. Worryingly, a discussion on Czech energy policy is being silenced by the competition of foreign strategic interests.

By Jan Hornát

/ 9 Jan 2013

What to expect from the Czech presidential election

For the first time in their history, Czech citizens will directly elect their president next year, to replace the notoriously Eurosceptic incumbent Vaclav Klaus. The stakes are high in this election, for it will be a large-scale stress test for Czech democracy and European integration in Central E

By Jan Hornát

/ 13 Nov 2012