To commemorate the events of August 1968 and under the slogan "The Senate as a barricade against the Kremlin occupiers", TOP 09 has introduced five personalities it will send to the upper house of the Czech Parliament in the autumn elections. The association of the candidates with the anniversary of the occupation was more than symbolic: the growing concern for the security and sovereignty of the country, for the independence of its institutions and for the freedoms of its citizens - even in light of the behaviour and rhetoric of the opposition and the rise of radicalised parties and movements - is, according to TOPka, the reason why the Senate elections really matter.
"Every year, the anniversary of 21 August allows us to reflect on the importance of freedom and democracy, and the real need for every generation to fight for them. One way is to become active citizens who are not afraid to enter politics," emphasized in the garden of the Senate Wallenstein Palace the chairwoman of TOP 09 and the lower chamber of Parliament Markéta Pekarova Adamová and highlighted the fact that three public figures are running alongside two senators.
"It is essential to realise that the struggle today is about the very nature of the state," further explained why her party chose 21 August to launch its Senate campaign. "We only need to take a glance at our eastern neighbours to see how fragile both freedom and democracy are, and the guarantees that go with them; whether it is justice and the rule of law, human rights, or freedom of media and expression. We see what can be done in a relatively short period of time."
It is in this atmosphere, according to Bakers Adams the Senate is gaining in social importance: "It is not for nothing that it is said that it is the Upper House that watches over the very foundations of our society and has them as a fundamental priority. I believe that the voters who will come to this election are very aware of this value of the Senate, will express their clear position and will therefore support the TOP 09 candidates."
Vice-Chairman of the Senate and TOP 09 Thomas Czernin recalled that the party's representation in the upper chamber has been growing with each election: while in 2016 he was the only senator for TOP 09, as of 2022 the party already has seven seats in the upper chamber. "Our senators are proving to be very hard-working, visible and the trust given to them by the citizens is justified," he said. "I appreciate the courage of our candidates this year and I believe they will put all their strength into the elections because the campaign is very tough. I believe that we will meet here on the Senate floor in even greater numbers."
Experienced Fischer wants to involve citizens in security issues
For circuit č. 17, Prague 12, running for Paul Fischer - current senator, former director of the political department of the Office of President Václav Havel, former foreign policy advisor at the General Staff of the Czech Army and the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, and at one time ambassador to France and Monaco, both of which awarded him meritorious orders.
"I believe that it is not time to split forces, but that we need to show that we can work together," Fischer urged during a meeting with journalists. "That is what I have been trying to do for six years in the Senate - we have put very complex issues of security, defence and foreign affairs on the agenda so that the majority of senators could meet to discuss them. And it was successful."
Pavel Fischer sees defence and security, which he has experience with not only as a three-time chairman of the Senate Committee, but also as a former director of the Security and Multilateral Section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as an advisor on strategic and security issues, as his main agenda for the next term. He would like to open up these areas more to the public.
"Defence and security are not just services we can delegate to the police, the armed forces or the Czech Army, but it is a matter for all citizens. From this point of view, also in view of the serious security situation today, we need to be able to involve citizens more in these issues. It is necessary to study our laws and, if necessary, to offer amendments to them. I am ready to push for this on this level," outlined his vision Fischer.
Progressive educator Korda plans to push for sensible education
The other candidate is running for circuit č. 23, Prague 8, which for 20 years has been running a sought-after educational institution based on modern methods with an emphasis on a creative environment, an atmosphere of pleasant cooperation and the maximum possible development of personality and individual abilities of pupils. He is an educator and director Meaningful schools in Prague's Karlín district, former president of the Association of the Teaching Profession and a strong promoter of modern, curricular education reform Mgr. Jan Korda.
"I am entering the Senate race with the motto 'Reason and Heart' because for me, sound, quality education is the heart of society and I regret that it is somewhat suppressed in our country compared to other areas," presented his senate ambitions Korda. "My topic is the quality of education with regard to what is actually happening in schools at the moment. That's why I would like to stay on as a headteacher if successful at the polls - I would like to be a politician who doesn't live in a bubble outside of real life. My agenda is also based on what I have heard from residents over the past twenty years. From how they see education."
He also outlined his political plans: "I am coming up with concrete ideas, I would like to incorporate my work in the Senate into my work in the campaign, and I have prepared a proposal for the ministry on how to implement the 2030+ strategy in schools, which is the main document of Czech education and whose implementation in practice is currently failing."
Publicly active Hašek goes to defend safety and socially vulnerable children
V Circuit č. 41, Benesov, running for Dominik Hasek - one of the most important Czech representatives in the history of sport and in recent years a vocal critic of the military aggression in Ukraine, especially when it comes to enforcing sanctions against Russia and Belarus at international games.
"Now, just like on the ice, I will work for the team first and foremost. The team will be Benešov and Prague-East, the national team will be the Czech Republic," sets itself the task of Hasek with a particular focus on the areas of national security and the promotion of sport and education among children and young people. He mentioned the plan for social programmes, which he has experience with, particularly in the sports organisation Hasek's Heroes. He founded the school for socially disadvantaged children during his hockey career in Buffalo.
"I am convinced that investing in the health, sport and education of our children is the best investment in the future of our society. It is one of the fundamental motivations for running for office." he added.
Rychlík, a leader of the Velvet Revolution, is running in the interest of freedoms
"I have constituency number 5, whose central themes in numerology include the protection of freedom. This is one of the reasons why I decided to enter politics after a call from a group of young people and with the encouragement of my dear friend Karel Schwarzenberg." said the Senate candidate circuit č. 59, Brno-město, doc. Břetislav Rychlík - documentary and theatre director, teacher at the JAMU, one of the movers of the Velvet Theatre Strike and the founding of the Civic Forum, and these days the initiator of the call It is Time Submit Hand! to support Slovak cultural institutions against political pressures.
"I am a native Moravian Slovak, I have hundreds of friends in Slovakia, and I was horrified by how quickly the institutions there were completely dismantled. In the context of what the Czech opposition is planning for us - for example, the Slovak way of liquidating the public media - I chose to run for the upper house of Parliament, which is the safeguard of democracy; it has survived the reign of engineers Zeman and Babiš." He told Rychlík adding that he wants to focus on education, culture and the environment in addition to media freedom.
The popular Pavera wants to build on regional success. Even nationally
"I still believe that politics can be done with friendliness, decency and humility," Senator and former MP shared his hopes for the next term Mgr. Herbert Pavera, chairman of the Moravian-Silesian TOP 09, chairman of the Association of Municipalities of Hlučín Region for eighteen years and also for twenty-six years mayor of multiple Village of the Year, Bolatic. He is defending his seat in his Circuit č. 68, Opava.
"I say in all seriousness that a senator's job is not just voting on bills, but also what they bring to their region and what they bring to the people who live in that region. I am extremely pleased that I have been able to help many people, towns and cities over the years or represent our region here in the Senate. Personally, however, I am most proud of the establishment and funding of the free legal advice centre in Opava, which has helped thousands of people over six years." he looked back Pavera for his time in the Upper Chamber.
In the next term, he would like to build on his success by continuing all of his current activities in the region, as well as nationwide, by supporting affordable housing for the young, modernizing education, and providing better care for the elderly.
Eleven other names have the support of TOP 09
"It is essential to me that we keep the Senate in a composition in which democracy has a clear majority and in which obscure voices remain marginal," She concluded Markéta Pekarova Adamová. This is the reason why, in addition to the personalities nominated by TOP 09 itself, the party is also expressing support for candidates of other political entities. Specifically, TOPka is interested in the following names:
- Constituency No. 5 - Chomutov: George Kulhanek (for ODS);
- Constituency No. 8 - Rokycany: Paul Karpíšek (for ODS);
- Constituency No 14 - České Budějovice: Zbyněk Sýkora (for ODS);
- Constituency No. 20 - Prague 4: George Drahoš (for STAN);
- Constituency No. 26 - Prague 2: Miroslav Barta (for STAN);
- Constituency No. 29 - Litoměřice: Ladislav Hairy (for ODS);
- Constituency No 35 - Jablonec nad Nisou: Vit Nemecek (for ODS);
- Constituency No 38 - Mladá Boleslav: Raduan Nwelati (for ODS);
- Constituency No. 44 - Chrudim: Jan Tecl (for ODS);
- Constituency No. 56 - Břeclav: Rostislav Kostial (for ODS);
- Constituency No. 74 - Karviná: Bohuslav Germany (for KDU-ČSL).
Markéta Volfová, spokeswoman of TOP 09
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