Reflecting on the events of August 1968, and under the slogan "The Senate as a bulwark against occupants from the Kremlin," TOP 09 presented a slate of five individuals who will run for seats in the upper house of the Parliament of the Czech Republic in the upcoming elections. The connection between the candidates and the anniversary of the occupation was more than symbolic: the growing concern about the country's security and sovereignty, the independence of its institutions, and the freedoms of its citizens – especially given the behavior and rhetoric of the opposition, or the rise of radical parties and movements – are, according to TOP 09, reasons why the senatorial elections are truly important.
"The anniversary of August 21st allows us every year to reflect on how important freedom and democracy are, and that it is truly necessary for each generation to fight for them. One way to do this is to become active citizens who are not afraid to enter politics,"
said the chairwoman of TOP 09 and the lower house of Parliament, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, in the garden of the Senate's Waldstein Palace, and emphasized that, in addition to two senators, three publicly engaged individuals are running."It is crucial to realize that in today's world, this struggle is about the very nature of the state,"
she further explained why her party chose August 21st to launch its senatorial campaign. "Just a brief look at our eastern neighbors shows how fragile freedom and democracy, and the guarantees associated with them, are – whether it is justice and the rule of law, human rights, or freedom of the press and expression. We see what can be accomplished in a relatively short period of time."In this atmosphere, according to Pekarová Adamová, the Senate gains social importance: "It is no coincidence that the upper house is said to be the one that watches over the very foundations of our society and makes it a top priority. I believe that the voters who come to these elections are very aware of this value of the Senate, will express their clear position with it, and will therefore support the TOP 09 candidates."
The Deputy Chairman of the Senate and TOP 09 member, Tomáš Czernin, recalled that the party's representation in the upper house has been growing with each election: While in 2016, there was only one senator from TOP 09, since 2022, the party has seven seats in the upper house. "Our senators have proven to be very hardworking and visible, and the trust that citizens have placed in them is justified," he said. "I appreciate the courage of our candidates this year, and I believe that they will give their all in the campaign, because it is a very tough one. I believe that we will meet here in even greater numbers in the Senate."
Experienced Fischer wants to involve citizens in security issues
In the 17th district, Prague 12, Pavel Fischer is a candidate. He is the current senator, formerly the director of the political department of the President Václav Havel's Office, a former advisor on foreign policy at the General Staff of the Czech Army and the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, and at one time also an ambassador to France and Monaco, both countries awarding him honorary orders for his service.
“I believe that now is not the time to divide our forces, but rather to show that we can work together,” Fischer said at a meeting with journalists. “That is what I have been striving for in the Senate for the past six years – even complex issues of security, defense, and foreign affairs were brought to the agenda in a way that allowed most senators to engage with them. And we were successful.”
Defense and security, with which he has experience not only as a three-time chairman of the Senate committee but also as a former head of the security and multilateral section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or as an advisor on strategic and security issues, are Pavel Fischer's main priorities for the next electoral term. He would like to make these areas more accessible to the public.
“Defense and security are not just services that we can delegate to the police, armed forces, or the Czech Army, but are a matter for all citizens. From this perspective, and given the serious security situation today, we need to involve citizens more in these issues. It is necessary to study our laws and, if necessary, propose amendments. I am prepared to work on this,” Fischer said, outlining his vision.
Progressive educator Korda aims to promote sensible education
The second candidate is running in the 23rd district, Prague 8, where he has been running a highly regarded educational institution for 20 years. This institution is based on modern methods, with an emphasis on a creative environment, a pleasant atmosphere of cooperation, and the maximum possible development of students' personalities and individual abilities. He is Jan Korda, an educator and director of the "Smysluplná Škola" (Meaningful School) in Prague Karlín, former president of the Association of Teaching Professionals, and a prominent advocate for modern, curriculum-based educational reform.
"I am entering the senatorial race with the motto 'Reason and Heart,' because for me, quality education is the heart of society, and it saddens me that, compared to other areas, it is somewhat neglected," Korda explained his senatorial ambitions. "My focus is on the quality of education, taking into account what is actually happening in schools. Therefore, if I am elected, I would like to remain in my position as a school principal – I want to be a politician who lives in the real world. My platform is also based on what I have heard from residents over the past twenty years, on how they view education."
He also outlined his political plans: "I am coming with concrete ideas, and I would like to bring my experience from campaigning into my work in the Senate. I have a proposal ready for the Ministry of Education on how to implement the 2030+ strategy, which is the main document for Czech education, and whose implementation has been unsuccessful so far."
Actively engaged Hašek is campaigning to protect the safety and well-being of disadvantaged children
In district no. 41, Benešov, Dominik Hašek is running – one of the most significant representatives of the Czech Republic in the history of sports, and in recent years, a vocal critic of the military aggression in Ukraine, particularly regarding the promotion of sanctions against Russia and Belarus in international competitions.
"Even now, just like on the ice, I will primarily work for the team. That team will be the Benešov region and Prague-East, and the national team will be the Czech Republic," Hašek states, emphasizing that he will focus primarily on the areas of national security, and on supporting sports and education for children and young people. He mentioned a plan for social programs, with which he has experience, particularly from the sports organization Hasek's Heroes
"I am convinced that investing in the health, sports, and education of our children is the best investment in the future of our society. This is one of the main motivations for my candidacy," he added. "My electoral number is 5, and one of the central themes in numerology associated with this number is the protection of freedom. This is one of the reasons why, after being encouraged by a group of young people and with the support of my dear friend Karel Schwarzenberg, I decided to enter politics," said the candidate for the Senate seat in district number 59, Brno-City, doc. Břetislav Rychlík – a documentary and theater director, a professor at the JAMU (Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts), one of the driving forces behind the Velvet Theater Strike and the Civic Forum, and in these days, the initiator of the call to action Let's join hands! to support Slovak cultural institutions against political pressure. "I am originally a Moravian Slovak, and I have hundreds of friends in Slovakia. I was shocked by how quickly the institutions there completely collapsed. In the context of what the Czech opposition is planning for us – for example, the Slovak path of eliminating public service media – I chose the upper chamber of Parliament, which is a safeguard of democracy; it has survived even the rule of the engineers Zeman and Babiš," said Rychlík, adding that, in addition to media freedom, he wants to focus on education, culture, and the environment. "I still believe that politics can be done in a friendly, respectful, and humble way," shared his hope for the next electoral period, Senator and former Member of Parliament Mgr. Herbert Pavera, Chairman of the Moravian-Silesian TOP 09, who has been the Chairman of the Association of Municipalities of Hlučín for eighteen years and has also been the mayor of the multiple Village of the Year, Bolatice, for twenty-six years. He is running for re-election in his district number 68, Opava. "I say with full seriousness that the work of a senator is not just about voting on laws, but also about what they bring to their region and what they bring to the people living in that region. I am extremely happy that in recent years I have been able to help many people, municipalities, and cities, or to present our region here in the Senate. Personally, I am most proud of establishing and funding a free legal advice center in Opava, which has helped thousands of people in six years," reflected Pavera on his previous work in the upper chamber. In the next electoral term, he would like to build on his previous successes by continuing all his current activities in the region, as well as at the national level, supporting affordable housing for young people, modernizing education, and providing better care for seniors. "It is crucial for me that we maintain the composition of the Senate where democracy has a clear majority and where fringe voices remain marginal," said Markéta Pekarová Adamová. This is why, in addition to the candidates nominated by TOP 09 itself, the party is also supporting candidates from other political groups. Thus, TOP 09 will be supporting candidates in exactly half of the remaining twenty-two electoral districts for the 2024-2030 term. Specifically, TOP 09 is supporting the following candidates: Markéta Volfová, press spokesperson for TOP 09 top09.cz / gnews.cz-jav_07Rychlík, a key figure in the Velvet Revolution, is running in the name of freedom
Popular Pavera wants to build on regional successes, and also achieve national success.
TOP 09 supports eleven additional candidates
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