Czech Democracy, with a Side of Illiberalism
Aleš Michal, Charles University
Petra Guasti, Charles University
Executive Summary
The Czech Republic remains a consolidated liberal democracy, yet it faces growing pressure from populist and illiberal actors operating within a context of prolonged polycrisis. While democratic institutions such as the Constitutional Court, the Senate, and public service media have so far proven resilient, illiberal forces have gained strength over the past decade, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. These crises have provided fertile ground for anti-system mobilization, political polarization, and the normalization of illiberal rhetoric.
This paper shows that Czech politics has been profoundly reshaped by a “populist zeitgeist” marked by the rise of technocratic populism under Andrej Babiš’s Action of Dissatisfied Citizens (ANO) party and the consolidation of radical-right and anti-system actors such as the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party and newer protest-linked formations. After four years in opposition, the ANO returned to power in 2025 with strong electoral support and backing from radical-right partners. While the ANO’s illiberalism remains less intense than that of some of its allies, its dominance of the illiberal bloc poses the most significant challenge to democratic norms, particularly through attacks in its rhetoric on institutions, proposals to nationalize public service media, and a more confrontational Eurosceptic stance.
Beyond party politics, the paper highlights the growing importance of illiberal social movements that emerged during the pandemic and later aligned with populist parties. These movements, often characterized by anti-government, anti-Western, and pro-Russian narratives, have contributed to sustained protest activity translating into tangible political influence. On the demand side, illiberal attitudes are concentrated among specific voter groups – particularly supporters of the Communist Party, the SPD, and parts of the ANO’s electorate – while persistent center–periphery and socio-economic divides continue to structure political competition.
Overall, while immediate institutional backsliding is not evident, the Czech case illustrates how the gradual normalization of illiberal discourse, pressure on media and civil society, and the fusion of populist parties with anti-system movements may weaken democratic resilience over time. This paper concludes that safeguarding civil society, enforcing conflict-of-interest rules, and strengthening civic and media literacy remain critical to mitigating future democratic risks.
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Suggested citation: Michal, Aleš, Petra Guasti. 2026. “Czech Democracy, with a Side of Illiberalism.” AUTHLIB Country Papers 2.
