ANO 2011

ANO 2011
Leader Andrej Babiš
Founded 11 May 2012 (2012-05-11)
Headquarters Babická 2329/2 149 00 Praha 4
Think tank Institute for Politics and Society
Youth wing Young ANO[1]
Membership  (2016) 2777[2]
Ideology Centrism[3][4][5]
Liberalism[6]
Populism[7]
Syncretic politics
Political position Centre[5] to Centre-right[8]
European affiliation Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
International affiliation None
European Parliament group Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
Colours      Blue
Slogan Yes, it will get better.
Chamber of Deputies
47 / 200
Senate
7 / 81
European Parliament
4 / 21
Regional councils
176 / 675
Local councils
1,610 / 62,300
Website
http://www.anobudelip.cz/

ANO 2011 is a centrist[4] and populist[9][10] political party in the Czech Republic founded by Andrej Babiš, second wealthiest man in the Czech Republic, owner of Agrofert and media publishing company MAFRA. It is based on the former movement Action of Dissatisfied Citizens (Czech: Akce nespokojených občanů, ANO). "Ano" means "yes" in Czech.

History

The idea of founding a new political party came after current leader and founder Andrej Babiš started talking about systemic corruption. His statements were supported by thousands of Czechs. ANO 2011 started as association in November 2011, and on 11 May 2012 ANO became official political party in the Czech Republic.[11]

In 2013 Czech legislative election held on 25–26 October 2013, ANO gained 18.7% of the vote and 47 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, attaining second place behind the Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD).[12]

On 29 January 2014, the Cabinet of Social Democrat Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka was sworn in,[13] with ANO and the Christian Democratic Union (KDU–ČSL) participating as junior coalition partners to the ČSSD.[14]

On 24–25 May 2014, ANO came first nationally in the 2014 European election gaining 16.13% of votes and 4 seats,[15] joining the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) group in European Parliament.[16] On 10 September 2014, ANO member Věra Jourová was designated European Commissioner of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality in the Juncker Commission.[17]

In the 2014 senate and municipal elections held on 10–11 October 2014, ANO won 4 seats in the Senate. ANO was also the largest party in 8 of the 10 biggest cities in the Czech Republic including its capital, Prague. It currently holds mayoral offices in three largest cities in the Czech republic. Adriana Krnáčová is the first female mayor of Prague.[18] This success was later undermined when a large number of municipal coalitions broke up because of party's disunity.[19]

On 21 November 2014, ANO was given full membership of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) at the ALDE congress in Lisbon.[20]

In 2016, two parties split from ANO 2011 – Change for People and PRO 2016 (FOR 2016). The latter was joined by numerous local councillors and Mayors from ANO 2011. New parties warranted the split by lack of democracy and discussion in ANO 2011.[21][22] Andrej Babiš said that members of both parties left ANO 2011 because they aren´t on candidate list for regional elections in 2016 but admitted that "some members or organizations of ANO 2011 may want to privatize their position in the party and don´t let other people among themselves. Radka Paulová, leader of PRO 2016, defended herself that if she had really wanted a better position on Candidate list, she would have done better to have stayed in ANO 2011. Another member of PRO 2016 admitted that conflict about Candidature for Regional Councils also played a role. She said that the main criterion for Candidates to regional councils was not professionality but loyalty.[23][24]

ANO 2011 lost one MP in July 2016 when Kristýna Zelienková left the party.[25]

ANO won 2016 regional elections and 1st round of 2016 senate election. Party came 1st in 9 regions and 2nd in remaining 4 regions. Surprising was victory in South Bohemia.[26]

Babiš's Cafe

Andrej babiš started a project Babiš's Cafe in June 2016. It is party's Television program that consists of interviews with party's leader Andrej Babiš. He is questioned by moderator Pavla Charvátová and also answers questions that are sent by viewers.[27]

Ideology and political positions

Founded in 2011 and led by multi-millionaire entrepreneur Andrej Babiš, ANO identifies itself as a political movement, rather than a party and does not want to be labeled on left–right political axis. It aims at cleansing the country of corruption, abolishing immunity for politicians, fighting unemployment and improving the transport infrastructure. Ideologically, the party is often placed in the centre and in this respect it has political similarities with the Christian and Democratic Union (KDU–ČSL).[28][29]

Andrej Babiš stated in a post-election interview that he opposes the Czech Republic's adoption of the euro, and ANO does not want any deeper European integration or any more bureaucracy from Brussels.[30] However, Andrej Babiš stated later that he was open to euro after the Czech Republic has a balanced budget. He also pleaded for closer ties with Germany and he said the Czech Republic was ready to sign the Fiscal Compact treaty now.[31] In some spheres, like tax policy, he (re)introduced center-left elements, like abolition of partial tax exemption for self-employed person and restoration of partial tax exemption for employed pensioner. He also introduced proposal to increase school teacher wages by 2.5%, contrary to original proposal to increase only by 1%.[32] In sphere of health care, he criticized public health insurance companies because of their enormous spending.[33]

Its political position is debated among politicians and political scientists. Right-wing politicians and commentators place ANO 2011 on the left while political scientists place it mostly in the centre.[34][35][36] Andrej Babiš in one interview stated that ANO 2011 is "a Right-Wing party with social Empathy."[37][38][39]

Structure

The organisation of ANO 2011 has a highly centralised structure. The strongest position has the Chairman who acts independently when representing the party. The highest body of ANO 2011 is National Assembly that meets at least once in two years. Other national offices include Party Committee and the Bureau. The Bureau is led by the Chairman. Regional assemblies can elect their own Chairmen. Elected chairmen have to be approved by the Bureau before they can take the office. The Bureau also approves all candidates for elections.[40][41]

Institute for Politics and Society is a think-tank affiliated with ANO 2011. Its task is to raise new politicians for the party. Its founders also say that activity of the Institute should lead to nationwide discussion about national interests and also create space for politicians from a new generation.[42]

Young ANO is the youth wing of ANO 2011. It was established in May 2015.[43]

Election Results

Chamber of Deputies

Year Vote Vote % Seats Place Government
2013 927,240 18.65 47 2nd Yes

Senate

Election First round Second round Seats
Votes % Places Votes % Places
2012 14,503 1.65 7th N/A N/A N/A 0
2014 180,136 17.55 2nd 71,739 15.14 3rd 4
2016 154,594 17.54 1st 92,051 21.71 1st 3

European Parliament

Election Votes Share of votes in % Seats obtained Place
2014
244,501
16.13 4
1st

Regional Election

Year Vote Vote % Seats Places
2016 533,061 21.05% 176 9x 1st, 4x 2nd

Local Election

Election Share of votes in % Councillors
2014
14.59
1,600

References

  1. ↑ Divíšek, Martin. "Babiš založil frakci Mladé ANO sdružující členy do 35 let". Denik.cz. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  2. ↑ "Místo členů nabírají některé strany registrované příznivce". Denik.cz. 21 August 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  3. ↑ Bartoň, Jan. "CVVM – opět je ve hře pravostředová koalice". Virtually.cz. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Czech election: Social Democrats lead but no clear winner". bbc.com. 26 October 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  5. 1 2 Wolfram Nordsieck. "Parties and Elections in Europe: The database about parliamentary elections and political parties in Europe, by Wolfram Nordsieck". Parties-and-elections.eu. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  6. ↑ "ANO establishes training center for politicians". Praguepost.com. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  7. ↑ Czech Elections: How a Billionaire Populist Upstaged Established Parties, by Sean Hanley
  8. ↑ Tom Lansford (2015). Political Handbook of the World 2015. SAGE Publications. p. 1656. ISBN 978-1-4833-7155-9.
  9. ↑ Stijn van Kessel (2015). Populist Parties in Europe: Agents of Discontent?. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 41. ISBN 978-1-137-41411-3.
  10. ↑ E. Gene Frankland (2016). "Central and Eastern European Green Parties: Rise, fall and revival?". In Emilie van Haute. Green Parties in Europe. Taylor & Francis. p. 104. ISBN 978-1-317-12453-5.
  11. ↑ "Historie ANO (in Czech)". ANO 2011. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  12. ↑ Wayne C. Thompson (24 July 2014). Nordic, Central, and Southeastern Europe 2014. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 355. ISBN 978-1-4758-1224-4.
  13. ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/30/world/europe/new-government-for-czech-republic.html?_r=0
  14. ↑ OECD (18 March 2014). OECD Economic Surveys: Czech Republic 2014. OECD Publishing. p. 19. ISBN 978-92-64-20935-0.
  15. ↑ "Czech Statistical Office: Elections to the European Parliament held on the territory of the Czech Republic on 23 – 24 May 2014". Volby.cz. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  16. ↑ "ANO 2011: Telička už makal v Bruselu, ANO je opět blíž ALDE". www.anobudelip.cz. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  17. ↑ http://www.privacylaws.com/Publications/enews/International-E-news/Dates/2014/9/Juncker-nominates-his-new-European-Commission-EU-DP-Regulation-to-be-concluded-by-May-2015/
  18. ↑ http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/prague-gets-its-first-female-mayor
  19. ↑ Nachtmann, Filip. "Regionální nákaza ANO. Která další koalice se rozpadne?". Echo24. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  20. ↑ "ALDE Party welcomes new member parties". Aldeparty.eu. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  21. ↑ "Odpadlíků z ANO přibývá. V Prachaticích zakládají vlastní organizaci - Echo24.cz". echo24.cz (in Czech). 20 May 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  22. ↑ "Změna pro lidi: Výzva bývalým členům a sympatizantům hnutí ANO". www.parlamentnilisty.cz. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  23. ↑ Kopecký, Josef (20 May 2016). "Lidé, kteří opustili Babišovo ANO, zakládají nové hnutí PRO 2016". iDNES.cz. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  24. ↑ "Nechtěli kývat. Uprchlíci od Babiše založili nové hnutí PRO2016 - Echo24.cz". echo24.cz (in Czech). 4 June 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  25. ↑ "Poslankyně Zelienková opouští ANO. Kritizovala Babiše za Čapí hnízdo". iDNES.cz. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  26. ↑ "ON-LINE: ANO slaví triumf, ČSSD sčítá ztráty". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  27. ↑ Kopecký, Josef (6 June 2016). ""Babišova kavárna", nový způsob, jak hnutí ANO zkouší nalákat voliče". iDNES.cz. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  28. ↑ "A Czech election with consequences". openDemocracy. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  29. ↑ "Babišovu hnutí se denně hlásí 200 zájemců o členství". Novinky.cz. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  30. ↑ "Political earthquake in the Czech Republic: Rejection of established parties". Heinrich Boell Foundation. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  31. ↑ "Czech Finance Minister open to euro adoption, but consolidation a priority". Reuters. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  32. ↑ "Andrej Babiš: Platy učitelů by mohly vzrůst o 2,5 procenta". Deník.cz. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  33. ↑ Česká televize. "Babiš chce pojišťovnám vzít peníze na provoz, měly by jít na péči". ČT24. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  34. ↑ Rovenský, Jan. "Babiš jede, strany od něj ale dávají ruce pryč". Novinky.cz. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  35. ↑ Kálal, Jan. "Jak předseda ODS Fiala nakročil k ANO". Echo24. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  36. ↑ Balík, Stanislav. "Text, který nesměl v MF DNES vyjít kvůli Babišovi". Echo24. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  37. ↑ "Andrej Babiš věští budoucnost: Budou tu dvě strany. ANO a ČSSD". Parlamentní Listy. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  38. ↑ Fiala, Petr. "Fiala (ODS): ANO není a nebude obhájcem zájmů středopravicových voličů". Parlamentní Listy. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  39. ↑ "Soukromníci, tato levicová vláda je pro nás velmi nebezpečná". Živnostenské Listy. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  40. ↑ Holub, Petr (20 January 2015). "Bez Babišovy vůle se nepohne ani list, říkají stanovy ANO - Echo24.cz". Echo24 (in Czech). Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  41. ↑ "Hnutí ANO upravilo stanovy. Posilují Babišovu pozici". Aktuálně.cz - Víte co se právě děje. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  42. ↑ "V Praze zahájil činnost think-tank spojený s hnutím ANO". Aktuálně.cz - Víte co se právě děje. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  43. ↑ "Babišovo hnutí založilo frakci Mladé ANO. Mládežníci schůzovali na lodi". Hospodářské noviny (in Czech). 1 May 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2016.

External links

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