Libertas.cz is a

eurosceptic Euroscepticism, also spelled as Euroskepticism or EU-scepticism, is a political position involving criticism of the European Union (EU) and European integration. It ranges from those who oppose some EU institutions and policies, and seek reform ...

party in the

Czech Republic The Czech Republic, or simply Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Historically known as Bohemia, it is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the southeast. The ...

that was founded in 2009 by the former media entrepreneur and MEP

Vladimír Železný Vladimír Železný (born 3 March 1945) is a Czech businessman and politician. He was the first CEO of TV NOVA, a popular Czech television station and was a member of the European Parliament between 2004 and 2009. As a media mogul with political ...

. After some controversies it became an associate of

Declan Ganley Declan James Ganley (born 23 July 1968) is an English-born Irish entrepreneur, businessman, and political activist. He was the founder and leader of the Irish branch of the Libertas Party. Primarily a telecommunications entrepreneur, Ganley has ...

's pan-European alliance

Libertas.eu Libertas was a pan-European political party founded by Declan Ganley that took part in the 2009 European Parliament election in several member states of the European Union. It won one seat in France. History Creation In 2008, the Libertas In ...

History

After comprehensive negotiations with president

Václav Klaus Václav Klaus (; born 19 June 1941) is a Czech economist and politician who served as the second president of the Czech Republic from 2003 to 2013. From July 1992 until the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in January 1993, he served as the secon ...

and other leading Czech eurosceptics, Ganley's attempts to bring about a Czech branch of ''Libertas.eu'' remained unsuccessful. The newly founded

Party of Free Citizens A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, recreation, or as part of a festival or other commemoration or celebration of a special occasion. A party will often feature ...

, which was endorsed by Klaus, unexpectedly refused to cooperate with Ganley's pan-European alliance, leaving the name ''Libertas'' unclaimed in the Czech Republic. This enabled the former media mogul Vladimír Železný, a eurosceptic

Member of the European Parliament A Member of the European Parliament (MEP) is a person who has been elected to serve as a popular representative in the European Parliament. When the European Parliament (then known as the Common Assembly of the ECSC) first met in 1952, its ...

to register a party under exactly the designated name by January 21, 2009.Lidovky.cz: Czech MEP Železný establishes Libertas.cz movement
, January 21, 2009, Prague Monitor It remained unclear whether the registration had been accomplished in some way on behalf of the European ''Libertas.eu'' or without any consent. Supporters of Železný's ''Libertas.cz'' included

Jana Bobošíková Jana Bobošíková (born 29 August 1964) is a Czech politician. In the 2004 European Parliament election she was elected a Member of the European Parliament for the Independent Democrats and remained unaffiliated in the European Parliament. In ...

Euro Watch: Cyclone Klaus hits Europe
, February 5, 2009, Prague Post and

Vlastimil Tlustý Vlastimil is a common Slavic names, Slavic origin given name originating from the roots: ''vlast'' (homeland) and ''mil'' (favour). A variant of the name is Vlastislav. The Czech name days are 17 March (Vlastimil) and 28 April (Vlastislav). The Sl ...

but not Declan Ganley and his followers, who promptly disavowed the party."Lidovky.cz: Czech MEP's Libertas appears without Ganley's knowledge"
23 January 2009, Prague Monitor However, after Václav Klaus intervened,Czech president meets MEPs from eurosceptical group
, March 5, 2009, Prague Monitor two MPs, Vlastimil Tlustý and Jan Schwippel, changed sides, leaving ODS and joining Železný's ''Libertas.cz''.Czech rebel MPs to join Libertas.cz and run in EP elex
, 14:40 31 March 2009
aktualne.centrum.cz
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", fro
fleet-sheet.respekt.cz
/ref> This led the European ''Libertas.eu'' to a

volte-face Volte-face ( or ) is a total change of position, as in policy or opinion; an about-face. The expression comes from the French language. In the context of politics a volte-face is, in modern English, often referred to as a U-turn or a flip-f ...

, now claiming Železný's ''Libertas.cz'' an affiliate.MPs who voted against Czech government join Libertas list for European Parliament elections
", 1 April 2009 21:00
libertas.eu

2009 European Parliament elections

The list fielded by ''Libertas.cz'' in the

2009 European Parliament election The 2009 European Parliament election was held in the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) between 4 and 7 June 2009. A total of 736 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) were elected to represent some 500 million Europeans, making th ...

s contained the following 29 candidates: The list contained the nineteen candidates from Železný's other party ( Nezávislí demokraté), six independents (including Jan Schwippel, now disavowed ODS), one ODS (Vlastimil Tlustý), and three other candidates. The number of candidates elected was zero.

External links

Official siteVlastimil Tlustý - Libertas Ceska
on

YouTube YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...

References

{{Libertas topics Eurosceptic parties in the Czech Republic Political parties established in 2009 Conservative parties in the Czech Republic Libertas.eu 2009 establishments in the Czech Republic

History

2009 European Parliament elections

See also

External links

References