p 2024

Prospects of European Engagement: Uniting or Dividing? A Case Study of Eurooptimistic Political Parties in Czechia

VELIČKA ZAPLETALOVÁ, Veronika and Pavlína KUTNAROVÁ

Basic information

Original name

Prospects of European Engagement: Uniting or Dividing? A Case Study of Eurooptimistic Political Parties in Czechia

Authors

Edition

Workshop “New Wave of Europeanism as a Counterreaction to EU Crises” 2024

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Vyžádané přednášky

Field of Study

50601 Political science

Country of publisher

Croatia

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Organization unit

Faculty of Social Studies

Keywords (in Czech)

Eurooptimismus, Česko, Euroskepticismus, Narativy

Keywords in English

Eurooptimism, Czechia, Euroscepticism, Narratives

Abstract

V originále

Over the last two decades, Europe's political landscape has witnessed a notable surge in support for Eurosceptic parties, reshaping traditional political dynamics. The Czech political landscape has mirrored these changes, transitioning from initial European enthusiasm to growing Euroscepticism. The 2021 coalition government signifies a departure from this trend comprising five parties, with four pro-European (KDU-ČSL, TOP09, STAN, Pirates), and ODS labeled soft Eurosceptic. The study examines narratives of the governmental political parties in the Czech Chamber of Deputies and focus also on the narratives of the members of the European Parliament of the respective parties, identifying dominant themes emphasizing Czech EU membership and a Euro-Atlantic value-based anchor. Contrary to expectations, the analysis reveals a notable absence of Eurosceptic narratives even within the generally labeled soft Eurosceptic party ODS. The study also highlights the ideological shift within parties and suggests the need for a reevaluation of the theoretical concepts of Euroscepticism and Eurooptimism.