Last Wednesday, the board of the Social Democrats (SOCDEM) called on the Stacilo! alliance, a populist coalition led by the Communist Party, to work together. SOCDEM negotiated with the Communists alone about cooperation during the winter, but they ultimately failed to reach an agreement.
Stacilo! chairman Daniel Sterzik told a Sunday press conference that the Social Democrats’ appeal to join forces in the October general election was unilateral, and that negotiations between the parties will continue where they ended previously.
Sterzik said that Stacilo! (‘Enough!’) and SOCDEM had taken a week to assess possible programme changes, and would probably hold talks in the middle of next week.
“Negotiations are not starting from scratch, but from where they have ended. We have a programme, strong candidates and the trust of citizens. If someone is to come on board our ship, it should be with respect for those who are already rowing,” Sterzik said.
He also denied speculation about backroom deals between ANO leader Andrej Babis and ex-president Milos Zeman, a former leader of the Social Democrats (then CSSD), who have supported cooperation between SOCDEM and Stacilo!
“The policy of the Stacilo! movement is made by our candidates and citizens, not by foreign interests. Neither Fiala’s cabinet, nor ANO, nor anyone else will dictate our personnel policy,” Sterzik said.
The Social Democrats’ board explained its olive branch towards Stacilo! as an effort to avoid wasting left-wing votes.
Malacova said in a press release on Wednesday that the left should join forces against the government’s “insane plans”, otherwise the country would soon face ruined state finances, frozen pensions, increased taxes, privatisation, the return of fees in the healthcare system and further waves of price hikes.
In response, many long-standing members have left SOCDEM, including Jiri Dienstbier, head of the party’s Prague branch, Pardubice Regional Governor Martin Netolicky and senator Petr Vicha. Jiri Stepan, deputy mayor of Hradec Kralove, and Jakub Rychtecky, deputy mayor of Pardubice also announced their departure. Former SOCDEM leader Michal Smarda said that like many other party members, he was disappointed by the board’s decision.
Malacova announced at the beginning of June that SOCDEM would run alone in the autumn elections, with the inclusion of independent leftist personalities on the party’s ticket. According to unofficial information, several Social Democrats might now appear on Stacilo! candidate lists in some regions.
The Social Democrats, when still known as CSSD, were ousted from the Chamber of Deputies in the last general election four years ago, after winning 4.65% of the vote, narrowly below the 5% parliamentary threshold. Until recently, the party’s preferences were hovering around 2-3%, and electoral models published over the weekend did not include SOCDEM. Support for Stacilo! is now around 5%.
