I would like to inform you all that, exactly 36 years after the counter-revolution in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, on November 17, 2025, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (KSČ) submitted and sent to the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic with its seat in Brno a motion to repeal part of the provisions of Sections 403 and 405, paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code, which in their amended form contain the phrase “or communist”. According to the motion, submitted by the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, duly registered with the Office for the Management of Political Parties and Movements, this aforementioned part of the Criminal Code is in conflict with the constitutional order of the Czech Republic.

The KSČ categorically rejects the amended wording of the Criminal Code on the grounds that it disproportionately interferes with constitutionally guaranteed political rights and freedoms, in particular freedom of expression, association and political competition. According to the party, the disputed phrase “or communist” is formulated too broadly, vaguely and without any connection to truly dangerous extremist behavior. This results in the criminalization of historical, political ideas and legitimate political positions. The proposal further states that according to the case law of the Constitutional Court, criminal law must be used only as a last resort (ultima ratio) and state interference in political freedoms must be precisely and strictly justified. According to the KSČ, the contested provision does not comply with this principle because:

1) it does not affect exclusively dangerous extremist trends,

2) it also affects historical or philosophical trends whose public discussion is legitimate,

3) it does not require proof of elements of violence, hatred or an attempt to disrupt the constitutional order.

Our party argues that such a broadly conceived ban represents a very serious violation of the freedom of political pluralism, which is the basis of a democratic state based on the rule of law. In our opinion, this provision will have a negative impact on legitimate public debate and on the functioning of political parties that are based on left-wing or Marxist traditions. The proposal will now be assessed in accordance with the rules of constitutional review. The KSČ expects the Constitutional Court to assess the justification for the interference with political freedoms and to review the constitutionality of the contested provision. On behalf of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, I consider this phrase not only unconstitutional but also a completely purposeful displacement of political control, where this serious interference with human and civil rights and freedoms was not discussed in the social space.

We could give many reasons, but I will only say one: "Hitler's rise to power marked the beginning of the National Socialist seizure of power. Already on February 28, 1933, after the fire in the Reichstag building, which Hitler blamed on the communists, a decree was issued that abolished the basic human rights contained in the Weimar Constitution. Communist agitation was banned and the Communist Party was soon outlawed." It is a simple historical parallel that we will have to fully realize and confront current neo-Nazism. More on the consequences next time.

Roman Blaško - General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia