The governing right-wing Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and the left-wing Social Democratic Party (CSSD) have initiated largely negative campaigns for the next elections to the European Parliament, set to take place on 4-7 June.
Internal rather than pan-European issues are largely expected to dominate debates during the pre-election period. The opposition CSSD is widely expected to win the elections and will consider the ballot successful if it gains eight to ten of the 22 seats reserved for Czech MEPs.
The battle for seats in Brussels will mostly be fought on the Internet. The Civic Democrats, in particular, announced their intention to use social media, in a similar manner to US President Barack Obama's efforts in the US elections last year (EurActiv 04/11/08). ODS leader Jan Zahradil's team plans to make full use of sites such as Facebook, Myspace, Youtube, Skype and ICQ.
The aim is to raise enthusiasm among the nation's young population and use volunteers to help get the message across even to the least politically conscious citizens, while keeping down campaign costs.
ODS is not the only party seeking to take adavantage of the Internet. CSSD was the first to launch a so-called "permanent campaign" aimed at keeping in touch with people at all times by means of "mini-campaigns". Such mini-campaigns include online advertising, special websites and so on.
One website specifically designed for the purpose of concisely informing the public about CSSD's priorities is protikrizi.cz ('Against the crisis'). The Social Democrats' top priority is dealing with the current economic crisis at the European level.
The website outlines necessary measures to be taken (ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, adoption of the euro by 2013, etc.) and criticises the ruling coalition for being irresponsible and inefficient when dealing with the problems at hand.
ODS perceives the website as a classic display of CSSD's negative campaigning against its main rival, the Civic Democrats, and decided to launch a rival website, cssdprotivam.cz ('CSSD against you') mocking the efforts of the Social Democrats to gain public support.
The apparent futility of CSSD's attempt to gain mass support while playing a pro-European tune is not entirely unfounded, as the majority of CSSD voters are against the adoption of the common currency, and even more of them are against the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty (72% according to idnes.cz).
Nonetheless, CSSD is expected to win the European elections with 35.5% of the vote, according to the STEM agency. 20% would go to ODS and 10% to the Communists. ODS is aiming for a repeat of 2004 EU election results, when the party gained nine seats with 30% of the vote.
The preference for CSSD stems primarily from the regions' opposition to government healthcare reforms involving unpopular direct medical payments. Domestic issues will therefore be the decisive factor in the June elections. According to Factum Invenio, if the elections were to take place today, the turnout would be as high as 54%. 65% of Czechs believe that Czech MEPs should defend Czech interests.
ODS is not expected to change its passive European policy as Zahradil – famous for his eurosceptic stance – is sure to top ODS's list of candidates, as he did in 2004. CSSD, on the other hand, is coordinating its steps with the pan-European Party of European Socialists (PES).
In February, CSSD launched an 'anti-crisis tour' following the publication of the PES manifesto. The European campaign officially kicked off at the party's congress on 14 February, which according to CSSD chairman Jiri Paroubek was a "unique opportunity to start a fierce European campaign, where we could present our candidates to the public, as well as our linkage to the Party of European Socialists".
