Volt Czechia

Volt Czechia
Volt Česko
AbbreviationVolt
LeaderAdam Hanka and Jan Klátil
Registered29 June 2022 (2022-06-29)
HeadquartersPrague
IdeologySocial liberalism
Progressivism
Pro-Europeanism
European federalism
Political positionCentre to centre-left
European affiliationVolt Europa
Website
https://www.voltcesko.org/

Volt Czechia (Czech: Volt Česko, Volt) is a social liberal political party in the Czech Republic and the Czech branch of Volt Europa.

History

Volt Czechia was founded in 2019. It operated from 11 April 2021 to 28 June 2022 as a registered association, Volt Česká Republika, chaired by Karolina Machová and Adam Hanka, with Jan Klátil as treasurer. On 29 June 2022 Volt Česko was registered as a political party in the Czech Republic.[1] Hanka was elected chair of the new party.[2]

The party contested an election for the first time in the 2022 Prague municipal election, receiving 4,816 votes (0.14%).[3]

In October 2022, Volt Czech Republic hosted the General Assembly of Volt Europa.[4] In October 2023, Volt and Senator 21 announced that they would be running a joint list of candidates in the 2024 European elections.[5][6][7] In November, the party elected Adam Hanka and Barbora Hrubá as the party's lead candidates for the European elections.[8][7]

Policies

European Policy

As a pan-European party, Volt's central goal is reform of the European Union, favouring European federalism, greater European integration, and a stronger European Parliament with the power to draft laws itself and elect a prime minister of a European government.[9] The party also supports a common defence policy and the creation of a European army,[10] as well as the abolition of the right of veto for member states in the European Council.[11]

Environmental protection, climate protection and mobility

Volt cites climate change as a priority challenge. The party supports nuclear power as part of the energy mix in the transition to a carbon-neutral economy, but opposes the inclusion of gas in the European Commission's green taxonomy.[4] Volt Czechia calls for the end of coal mining in the Czech Republic, and the target of a carbon-neutral Europe by 2040, supported by investment in solar energy and heat pumps, among other measures. In addition, Volt Czechia calls for a circular economy to be achieved in the medium term in order to conserve resources.[12] The party also calls for the expansion of local public transport and rail transport.[11][12]

Social policy

Volt stresses its commitment to equal rights.[13] The party supports the LGBTQ movement and advocates marriage for all, as well as the introduction of the 3rd gender.[4][5] Volt calls for the promotion of modern education, support for civil society and civic participation, the digitalisation of the state, the promotion of equal rights,[14] and support for social housing.[15]

At the municipal level, the party advocates the introduction of councils for foreigners as an advisory body for municipal councils.[16]

Economic policy

The party supports the introduction of the Euro as a currency,[17] and the promotion of start-ups and new businesses.[12]

Security policy

Volt supports a common EU defence policy and a common European army that exists as an equal partner alongside the USA within NATO. The party argues that national parties are no longer capable of ensuring security within Europe.[18][10]

Volt proposes that the basis for a common defence policy should be created by standardising equipment through joint orders for armaments.[18]

Finances

The party is financed by donations from private individuals; donations from companies and legal entities are prohibited. All donations are published in a transparent account and non-financial donations are published on the party's website.[11]

Election results

European Parliament

Election List leader Votes % Seats +/− EP Group
2024[a] Lenka Helena Koenigsmark 9,955 0.34 (#15)
0 / 21
 New −
  1. ^ as part of the SEN 21 and Volt coalition.

References

  1. ^ "Volt byl v Česka zaregistrován jako politická strana". Volt Česko (in Czech). Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  2. ^ "Předsednictvo". Volt Czechia (in Czech). Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  3. ^ "Výsledky voleb". volby.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  4. ^ a b c Plevák, Ondřej (26 July 2022). "V Česku se bojíme mluvit o federativní EU, škodíme si tím, říká předseda nové strany Volt" (in Czech). Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  5. ^ a b Plesník, Svetozár (2022-07-26). "Představení politické strany Volt". České novinky1.eu (in Czech). Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  6. ^ "Já vím, že pro evropské volby máte plná média Spolu, STANu či Pirátů". X (formerly Twitter) (in Czech). 2023-10-05. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  7. ^ a b "Eurovolby: Protestní rétorika Stačilo! stačit nebude, Přísaha je zpět a chce do EPP". Spotify (in Czech). 2023-12-06. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  8. ^ "And our members have spoken!". X (formerly Twitter). 2023-11-04. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  9. ^ Plevák, Ondřej (14 April 2021). "Panevropské hnutí Volt slaví první "národní" úspěch. Do silného hráče má ale ještě daleko". Euractiv (in Czech). Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Strana PRO vyšle do senátních voleb sedm kandidátů". České Noviny (in Czech). Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  11. ^ a b c "Nová strana chce zrušit právo veta jedné země EU, zavést euro i třetí pohlaví". Mladá fronta Dnes (in Czech). Mafra. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  12. ^ a b c Leinert, Ondřej (2022-07-27). "Progresivnější než Piráti: Volt chce zastavit těžbu uhlí, schválit třetí pohlaví a co nejdřív přijmout euro". Hospodářské noviny (in Czech). Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  13. ^ "Hnutí SEN21 a Volt Česko představili společnou kandidátku do eurovoleb". Euractiv (in Czech). 31 January 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  14. ^ Plesník, Svetozár (2022-07-26). "Představení politické strany Volt". České Novinky 1 (in Czech). Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  15. ^ "Komunální volby 2022 | speciál z Prahy". Czech Radio (in Czech). 14 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  16. ^ Čížek, David (27 July 2022). "Eurofederalistický Volt zahajuje činnost v České republice, o hlasy bude bojovat už ve volbách na Pražský magistrát". Studentské listy (in Czech). Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  17. ^ Houska, Ondřej (27 July 2022). "Přijetí eura co nejdřív, manželství homosexuálů, uznání třetího pohlaví. Do voleb jde nová politická strana". Hospodářské noviny (in Czech). Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  18. ^ a b Hruška, Adam (27 March 2023). "Adam Hruška: Potřebujeme evropskou armádu". Deník Referendum (in Czech). Retrieved 1 April 2023.
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