Czech Green Party candidate says more Roma interest in politics can fuel change

An unusually high number of Romani people are running in this year’s early elections compared to years past. The monthly Romano voďi, published by the ROMEA association, has done its best to interview all the candidates running for the lower house and will run those interviews in addition to publishing analytical material about the elections.

News server Romea.cz will be gradually publishing these interviews. We consider these elections to be important, key, and we hope to bring you the opinions of all those asking for your vote.

Today’s interview introduces Lucie Horváthová, running for the Green Party (Strana zelených – SZ) in the Pardubice Region at the eighth spot on the ticket.

Q:  How long have you been a member of the Green Party (Strana zelených – SZ) and why did you decide to join? Have you ever been a member of a different political group?

A:  This is my fourth year as a Green Party member. Why the Greens? What played the biggest role in my decision was the lack of corruption in this party and its openness. Equitable treatment is important to me. I might have agreed with the programs of some other parties as well, but as a member of them I would have had to wrestle with the overwhelming image of the arrogance of some of their leading politicians. I have never been a member of any other political group or party. 

Q:  You have run for the SZ before. Where did you run, when, and what was the experience like for you of meeting with people, speaking on television, debating your opponents from other parties? What was different, new, surprising, what did you get out of it and what did it take out of you?

A:  I have participated as a candidate for almost all levels of office with the exception of the Senate and the presidential elections. I got the most experience when running for the lower house in 2010, when I led the party’s candidate list. The whole campaign was an unbelievable experience. Many people were surprised to see a Romani woman leading a "non-Romani" party list. There was very positive feedback from all of society. I met many interesting people and spoke with many people outside of our electoral base, which was important to me. As far as debating goes, that was demanding at first. Later, however, you find out that there is no room for self-consciousness when you see others discussing politics. I remember a very nice incident that happened when I was participating in an online chat at the office of the regional newspapers in Pardubice. An 80-year-old lady came to the office with a bouquet of flowers to personally thank me and support my candidacy. I was surprised myself that I did not encounter any negative or racist reactions.

Q:  What does Romanipen mean to you?

A:  To be a proud Romani woman and know my roots.

Q:  What do politics and your participation in them symbolize for you?

A:  That I am not just cursing from the outside, by that I am contributing to changing the laws.

Q:  You are not participating in many events this year and probably not giving yourself much of a chance at success. Moreover, you have a little boy at home. Why are you running at all?

A:  Yes, I can’t be that active in these elections, but I am participating in the campaign as time permits, including with my little son as well. I am definitely running to support our party. I am a realist and I don’t believe that all 19 of our candidates will succeed, but I do have a chance. I will address my eventual success or failure together with my party colleagues and of course with my own family.

Q:  How much of a chance, in your view, does the SZ have in these early elections in general? What about in your region?

A:  I believe the Green Party has a big chance. In our region we currently enjoy an electoral potential of 8.5 % of the vote, which means at a minimum we could exceed the 5 % threshold to be seated in Parliament.

Q:  What do you say to the "alliance" with the Equal Opportunities Party (Strana rovných příležitostí – SRP) and facilitating their members or nominees to run on the SZ lists? What might this alliance mean for the SZ to the voters?

A:  I am all for connecting with many more small parties. I believe that alliances in general of small parties would increase our chances of winning stronger mandates. There are many political movements and parties on the political scene that are unelectable for the sole reason that they cannot exceed the 5 % threshold.

Q:  This year rather a lot of Romani people are running for various parties. What do think of this? You have enough experience already, are all of those running, in your view, aware of what awaits them in politics? Should these candidates cooperate with one another even though they represent various points along the political spectrum?

A:  More interest by Romani people in politics can bring about real change. It is a big "message" to the people that members of the Romani minority can approach problem-solving from many different points of view. I wish all of the Romani candidates the best of luck and I look forward to negotiations with them in Parliament.