The board of the Stačilo! movement, which includes the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM), the Czech National Social Party (ČSNS) and other entities, has approved cooperation with the Social Democratic Party (SOCDEM) for the October parliamentary elections.
The Stačilo! movement is headed by Daniel Sterzik (known as Vidlák), while its election leader is KSČM MEP Kateřina Konečná. SOCDEM, led by Jana Maláčová, will join the Stačilo! candidates, with key SOCDEM representatives - Jana Maláčová, Lubomír Zaorálek and Jiří Nedvěd - to win elective seats. Details are to be announced at a press conference on Monday 21 July 2025.
The cooperation was initiated by SOCDEM at the end of June 2025, when the Presidency called for a joint approach to "avoid losing the voices of the left" and to form a strong opposition to the government of Petro Fiala. Jana Maláčová emphasises the fight against "anti-social government plans" such as pension freezes, tax increases and privatisation. On social media, the Enough! movement said that after "difficult but constructive negotiations" a memorandum of cooperation was signed, strengthening its position as an "anti-government left-wing patriotic" force.
Although SOCDEM ended negotiations with the Stačilo! movement in February 2025 on the grounds that its program was too anti-systemic, the change of heart came after unsuccessful attempts to cooperate with other entities, such as the ANO movement and Přísah. Political analysts Lukáš Valeš and Aleš Michal consider this move rational, because SOCDEM, with its preferences of around 3 %, has a chance of getting into the lower house only in a coalition. A merger could ensure that the left-wing vote does not fall away, as it did in the last elections.
Controversy and outflow of members
The decision to cooperate caused a wave of resistance in SOCDEM and led to the departure of prominent members. Jiří Dienstbier, a former minister, described Stačilo! as "extremist and national-conservative" and compared the alliance to the "betrayal of February 1948". After 28 years, he terminated his membership. The governor of Pardubice, Martin Netolický, left the party after 25 years, saying he found the cooperation "unacceptable" and plans to continue regional politics through the 3PK project.
Senator Petr Vícha, the last SOCDEM senator, also left the party on the grounds that he does not agree with the new direction of the party. Others who have left the party include former MEP Miroslav Poche and ex-MP Václav Votava. Former SOCDEM chair Michal Šmarda described the alliance as a "historic mistake" and plans to quit as of August.
The criticism is also based on the historic 1995 SOCDEM resolution, which prohibits cooperation with the KSČM. Some members see the alliance as a violation of this principle, as the KSČM is a key part of the Staško!.
Reactions and programme questions
Enough! insists on its conditions, including the demand for a referendum on NATO and EU membership, a sensitive issue for SOCDEM. Lubomír Zaorálek, however, assures that SOCDEM will not push for leaving these structures, but will focus on social issues and the general law on the referendum. Enough! emphasises priorities such as support for cooperative housing, zero tax on basic foodstuffs and the abolition of the Senate.
According to the polls, Just Enough! is just above the 5% threshold required to enter the House, while SOCDEM on its own is only around 3 %. The merger could strengthen the left-wing opposition, but it also risks a further exodus of SOCDEM members and voters who disagree with the rapprochement with the Communist Party. Political analysts warn that this alliance could paradoxically strengthen the ANO movement, which could attract left-wing voters looking for a more stable alternative.
gnews.cz - GH
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