The Communist Youth Union of the Czech Republic (Komunistický svaz mládeže, KSM) has condemned the decision by Kateřina Konečná, former chairwoman of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM), to join the Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament.
Czech Communist Youth condemns Konečná’s move to Patriots for Europe
In a statement issued on 21 October, KSM’s Central Council argued that her move contradicted the communist party’s international commitments, political programme and objectives.
Konečná, who had previously sat outside any European Parliament group, announced her decision on 21 October. She said that remaining unaffiliated had limited her ability to advance proposals and argued that her electoral coalition’s programme had the greatest compatibility with Patriots for Europe. She also stated that joining the group did not mean she would automatically support all its positions.
KSM sharply rejected this justification. It criticised Patriots for Europe’s nationalist and anti-communist politics and pointed to the group’s membership, which includes Hungary’s Fidesz, France’s National Rally, Italy’s League, Austria’s Freedom Party and the Czech ANO movement. According to KSM, the group’s positions on workers’ rights, taxation, international conflicts and immigration are incompatible with communist principles and working-class internationalism.
The youth organisation also highlighted the contrast between Konečná’s decision and the KSČM’s longstanding relationships with communist parties in other European countries, many of whose representatives sit in the European Parliament’s The Left group. KSM argued that choosing Patriots for Europe undermines these relations and contradicts the solidarity shown by communist allies in opposing anti-communist measures in the Czech Republic.
KSM called on KSČM members to demand a clear response from the party leadership, including condemnation of Konečná’s move and disciplinary consequences.
(Photo: Alexandr Satinský, MAFRA)