Kateřina Konečná's decision to join the far-right, xenophobic and anti-communist Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament has triggered fierce criticism within the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM).
Leading party cadres, including Vice-Chairman Milan Krajča and Petra Prokšanová, have publicly condemned the move, describing it as a fundamental political error and distancing themselves from the former party chairwoman's decision.
In a statement published on Thursday, October 22, Krajča stressed that Patriots for Europe brings together right-wing, anti-communist politicians whose positions include support for efforts to overthrow the revolutionary government of socialist Cuba and for Israel's actions in Gaza. He emphasized that Konečná's decision had never been discussed within the KSČM, declaring: "Personally, I consider it a fundamental political error, and I strongly disagree with it."
Petra Prokšanová, chairwoman of the KSČM's Prague organization, expressed similar outrage. "Kateřina Konečná's announcement that she was joining the Patriots for Europe group absolutely shocked me," she wrote on October 21. She stressed that a parliamentary group consisting of right-wing, anti-communist parties supporting the genocide of the Palestinian people and the destabilization of socialist Cuba was no place for any communist. Completely distancing herself from Konečná's unilateral decision, Prokšanová reaffirmed her commitment to "international solidarity, progress, socialism and peace."
The Communist Youth Union (KSM) has also issued a strong condemnation, describing Konečná's decision as a betrayal of communist principles. In its October 21 statement, the organization called on KSČM members to demand that the party leadership explicitly condemn the move and take disciplinary measures against the former chairwoman.
Konečná announced her intention to join Patriots for Europe on October 21, arguing that the group's positions most closely matched those of the Stačilo! coalition. The group includes parties associated with Viktor Orbán, Marine Le Pen, Matteo Salvini and Spain's Vox. According to subsequent reports, her formal admission remained subject to a vote by the parliamentary group.
Petra Prokšanová, chairwoman of the KSČM's Prague organization, expressed similar outrage. "Kateřina Konečná's announcement that she was joining the Patriots for Europe group absolutely shocked me," she wrote on October 21. She stressed that a parliamentary group consisting of right-wing, anti-communist parties supporting the genocide of the Palestinian people and the destabilization of socialist Cuba was no place for any communist. Completely distancing herself from Konečná's unilateral decision, Prokšanová reaffirmed her commitment to "international solidarity, progress, socialism and peace."
The Communist Youth Union (KSM) has also issued a strong condemnation, describing Konečná's decision as a betrayal of communist principles. In its October 21 statement, the organization called on KSČM members to demand that the party leadership explicitly condemn the move and take disciplinary measures against the former chairwoman.
Konečná announced her intention to join Patriots for Europe on October 21, arguing that the group's positions most closely matched those of the Stačilo! coalition. The group includes parties associated with Viktor Orbán, Marine Le Pen, Matteo Salvini and Spain's Vox. According to subsequent reports, her formal admission remained subject to a vote by the parliamentary group.
