Czech Republic
Lidové Noviny, 18 February 2010

Neo-Nazi ban could scuttle communists

Published on 18 February 2010 at 13:49
Lidové Noviny, 18 February 2010

Cover

The 17 February ruling by the Czech Supreme Administrative Court which disbands the Workers' Party is clear: the "populist, xenophobic and racist" Workers' Party shares the "ideology of Hitler's Nazi Party" and represents a significant danger to Czech democracy. Although delighted by news of the ban, Lidové Noviny wonders if it will prove to be effective. In a report entitled Workers' Party loses, but will re-emerge elsewhere," it notes that Party leader Tomáš Vandas, who announced that "the verdict will be good publicity," is preparing to re-name the political grouping in time for general elections on 29 March. However, the Prague daily adds that the verdict may set a useful "precedent that could be applied to dissolve the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia." A Czech senate commission is attempting to have the successor of the Soviet-era single ruling party, currently the third largest force in the Czech parliament, classified as extremist.

Tags

Was this article useful? If so we are delighted!

It is freely available because we believe that the right to free and independent information is essential for democracy. But this right is not guaranteed forever, and independence comes at a cost. We need your support in order to continue publishing independent, multilingual news for all Europeans.

Discover our subscription offers and their exclusive benefits and become a member of our community now!

Are you a news organisation, a business, an association or a foundation? Check out our bespoke editorial and translation services.

Support independent European journalism

European democracy needs independent media. Join our community!

On the same topic