Law, Respect, Expertise (, PRO 2022) is a right-wing populist political party in the Czech Republic.

History

The party was founded in June 2022 by figures linked to Charter 2022, an initiative opposing COVID-19 restrictions and vaccinations. Lawyer Jindřich Rajchl, a former member of the Tricolour Citizens' Movement, became its first leader. The party largely focused on energy policy during the press conferences held to launch the party. In July 2022, the party announced it would nominate seven candidates for the 2022 Czech Senate election, including Hana Zelená and Ivan Noveský.

Law, Respect, Expertise

The party gained some media attention during August 2022 when Rajchl appeared in a Sanep poll for preferred Prime Minister, finishing fourth with 7.9%. On 3 September 2022, Rajchl and other prominent members of the party appeared at an anti-government demonstration on Wenceslas Square.

Law, Respect, Expertise

PRO participated in the 2022 Czech Senate election with seven candidates. Jana Zwyrtek Hamplová, who was endorsed by PRO, advanced to the second round and eventually won the seat.

Law, Respect, Expertise

Positions

The party has been labelled as pro-Russian, due to several PRO candidates calling for an end to sanctions on Russia, and Czech support for Ukraine. However, in April 2023, party vice-chair Petr Vack rejected this label, saying PRO considered Russia's actions against Ukraine to be "aggression" and "the conflict should end under the conditions of full respect for Ukraine's territorial sovereignty".

References

External links

Official website

2022 establishments in the Czech Republic

Political parties established in 2022

Eurosceptic parties in the Czech Republic

Far-right political parties in the Czech Republic

Right-wing populism in the Czech Republic

Nationalist parties in the Czech Republic

Right-wing populist parties

Right-wing parties in the Czech Republic