Motorists for Themselves (Czech: Motoristé sobě, abbreviation AUTO) is a Czech political party founded by František Matějka, a spokesperson of the Václav Klaus' Institute, for the 2022 Prague municipal election.[6]
Motorists for Themselves Motoristé sobě | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | AUTO |
| Chairperson | Petr Macinka |
| Deputy Leaders | Renáta Maršíková Jiří Barták |
| Founded | 2022 |
| Preceded by | Independence Party of the Czech Republic |
| Youth wing | Motor Generation[3] |
| Ideology | Motorists' interests Right-wing populism[1] Euroscepticism[2] |
| Political position | Right-wing[2][4] |
| National affiliation | Přísaha and Motorists |
| European affiliation | Patriots.eu |
| European Parliament group | Patriots for Europe |
| Colors | Blue |
| Prague City Assembly | 0 / 65 |
| European Parliament | 1 / 21 [5] |
| Website | |
| motoristesobe | |
History
edit2022 Prague municipal election
editThe party ran in the 2022 Czech municipal elections in Prague, claiming opposition to parties such as the Pirates and Prague Together. Motorists promised making the Prague Metro free of charge,[7] greatly reducing the number of bike lines and reducing the funding of culture, investing the funds into transport infrastructure instead.[8][9] Macinka accused the Pirate-led coalition in the city of bullying of drivers and called them "green fanatics".[10]
Motorists gained 540,209 votes, reaching 2.29% of the total, thus missing on the 5% electoral threshold and winning zero seats in the Prague City Assembly.[11]
2024 European Parliament election
editFor the 2024 European Parliament election, the party was firstly considering a joint electoral list together with Svobodní.[12] However, the party later announced a coalition with the Přísaha movement, with their joint list being led by a former automobile racer Filip Turek.[13][14] The coalition wants to reverse the European Green Deal and the ban on sale of petrol and diesel cars starting from 2035. It also claims to stand against illegal immigration and the adoption of euro as the Czech Republic's national currency.[15]
Stances
editThe party opposes green politics, liberalism and progressivism and wants to get rid of all bicycle lanes.[16] It has stated its support for "cars, coal and the crown".[16]
Election results
editSenate
edit| Election | Candidates | First round | Second round | Seats | Total Seats | +/– | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Runners-up | Place | Votes | % | Place | |||||
| 2024 | 1 | 7,664 | 0.97 | 0 / 27
|
14th | — | 0 / 27
|
0 / 81
|
New | ||
European Parliament
edit| Election | List leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | EP Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024[a] | Filip Turek | 304,623 | 10.26 (#3) (Přísaha and Motorists) |
1 / 21
|
New | – |
Prague municipal elections
edit| Year | Leader | Vote | Vote % | Seats | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Petr Macinka | 540,209 | 2.29% | 0 / 65
|
7th |
Notes
edit- ^ Ran as part of the Přísaha and Motorists coalition.
References
edit- ^ "New polls show growing support for Czechia's populist Motorists party". Euractiv. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Czechia". Europe Elects. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ Oppelt, Robert (10 November 2024). "Utahování si z Nerudové a hvězda Turek. Vznikl Motorgen, Motoristé pro mladé". iDNES.cz (in Czech). Mafra. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ "Czech Republic: Political parties at a glance".
- ^ "Filip Turek". European Parliament. 15 October 1985. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ^ "Do voleb v Praze chce jít nová politická strana Motoristé sobě". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Borgis. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "Strana Motoristé sobě chce v Praze metro zdarma". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Borgis. 9 August 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Vachtl, Jiří (10 August 2022). "Motoristé sobě i Praha bez chaosu. Strany sází na boj proti "cyklofanatikům"". Mladá fronta Dnes (in Czech). Mafra. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "Václav Klaus mi řekl, ať to nepokazím, říká zakladatel nové strany Motoristé sobě". Lidové noviny (in Czech). Mafra. 3 August 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Veselý, Marek (8 September 2022). "Macinka: Piráti v Praze razí zelený fanatismus a chtějí nás vychovávat. Šikanují řidiče". CNN Prima News (in Czech). Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "Výsledky voleb" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "Svobodní jednali o kandidátce do EP, jednají se stranou Motoristé sobě". Svobodní (in Czech). 11 November 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "Přísaha míří k evropským volbám s Motoristy, Šlachta má zálusk na křeslo v Senátu". Mladá fronta Dnes (in Czech). Mafra. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Martinek, Jan (29 January 2024). "Šlachtova Přísaha půjde do eurovoleb společně s Motoristy sobě". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Borgis. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Zykmundová, Barbora (10 June 2024). "Ve volbách zazářila koalice, která ani neměla program. Co chtějí Přísaha a Motoristé?". CNN Prima News (in Czech). FTV Prima. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ a b Eisenchteter, Jules (19 December 2024). "Need for Speed: Czech Motorist Party Shifts into High Gear with Eyes on 2025 Election". Balkan Insight. Prague. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
... coming about six months after a conservative and Eurosceptic Motorists-Prisaha coalition created a shock ...