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 has triggered criticism from senior figures within her own party.
Leading KSČM figures criticise Konečná’s move to Patriots for Europe
The controversy has exposed disagreements over the party’s political identity and its relationship with nationalist and right-wing forces in Europe.
According to Czech media reports published on 22–23 October, Milan Krajča, a KSČM vice-chairman, described Konečná’s decision as a serious political mistake. He criticised the political orientation of Patriots for Europe and its positions on issues including Cuba and Palestine, arguing that cooperation with the group was incompatible with communist principles.
Petra Prokšanová, chair of the Prague KSČM organisation, also distanced herself from the move. She said Konečná’s announcement had shocked her and questioned whether a group associated with right-wing and anti-communist politics could provide an appropriate political home for a communist representative.
The party’s chairman, Roman Roun, convened a meeting of the KSČM Executive Committee following the announcement. Media reports indicated that Konečná had made the decision without consulting the party leadership. However, no definitive outcome of the committee’s deliberations had been established in the reports available at the time.
Konečná has defended her decision by arguing that the programme of the Stačilo! electoral coalition she represents is more compatible with Patriots for Europe than with other European Parliament groups. She has also said that joining the group would give her greater opportunities to advance her proposals. She has not indicated that she intends to leave KSČM.