site.btaDowntown Prague Almost without Signs of EP Election Campaign but Citizens Have Their Positions

Two days before the start of the European Parliament (EP) elections in Czechia, there are almost no signs of an election campaign in the streets and squares of the capital. In the historical centre of Prague, there is not a single poster of a party or MEP candidate. There are also no tents or other sites from where political formations campaign, nor are there activists handing out fliers. 

Approached by BTA, citizens explained that a strong campaign is more typical of parliamentary elections. Some of the parties, however, use people's mailboxes for election campaign materials. Those publishing opinion poll results three days before election day or exit poll data face a fine of up to CZK 500,000 (approximately BGN 40,000).

According to the latest STEM survey to be presented, six or seven parties have the chance to win MEP seats. Topping the list is the opposition formation ANO, led by Andrej Babis, followed by SPOLU, the main coalition within the ruling formation.

A man and a woman told BTA they intend to vote in the EP elections, which in Czechia will take place on June 7 and 8. The woman said the most important topic for her is climate change and the state of the environment. "I want to see in the European Parliament more people protecting the environment and such who are more radical that the ones who there [in the EP] until now." The man said that he will vote because as a European, these elections matter to him and Czechia. The most important topics to him are the Green Deal and security, in light of the Russian aggression.