The STAN movement has announced its candidates for the upcoming European Parliament elections, with economist and former presidential candidate Danuše Nerudová and STAN deputy chairman Jan Farský leading the party’s candidates. The decision was confirmed by the party’s national committee, with the identity of the top candidate to be finalized by January.

Nerudová will lead the list of candidates for “Personalities for Europe,” while Farský will head the candidates for “Mayors and Personalities for Europe.” Farský has composed the candidate list, which will include seven STAN members among the top 10 and six mayors in the second 10. The party aims to secure at least three seats in the European Parliament elections, which will be held on June 7 and 8 next year, with Czech voters choosing 21 representatives.

STAN, officially known as the “Mayors and Independents” party, was founded in 2009. It is a liberal-conservative party with a focus on local government and the interests of independent politicians. In the 2017 Czech legislative elections, STAN secured 6.18% of the vote, earning six seats in the Chamber of Deputies. STAN is part of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) in the European Parliament.

Danuše Nerudová is an economist who has taught at the University of Economics in Prague and Charles University in Prague. She has also served as a member of the Czech National Bank board and ran for president in the 2018 Czech presidential election.

Jan Farský, the deputy chairman of STAN, is the mayor of Kadaň. He has been a member of STAN since 2010 and was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in the 2013 Czech legislative elections.

STAN’s primary goals include promoting local government, supporting independent politicians, increasing transparency, and combating corruption in government. The party also advocates for the European Union and greater European integration.

The European Parliament elections are held every five years across all EU member states. Each country is allocated a certain number of seats in proportion to its population. The European Parliament plays a crucial role in passing laws, approving the EU budget, and addressing various policy issues.

The nomination of Danuše Nerudová and Jan Farský to lead STAN in the European Parliament elections represents a significant moment for the party. STAN’s emphasis on local government and independent politicians sets it apart in Czech politics, and its success in the upcoming elections could have a significant impact on the future of the European Union and the Czech Republic.

Article by Prague Forum