The Ústecký daily in the Czech Republic reports that the Workers’ Social
Justice Party (Dělnická strana sociální spravedlnosti – DSSS) has fractured.
Petr Kotáb, the party leader in the Ústí region has left the DSSS ranks. Most of
the DSSS members in North Bohemia have reportedly left as well.
Kotáb and his followers are said to have differences of opinion with the
party headquarters in Prague, but the split is allegedly an amicable one. Those
who have left the DSSS have now decided to establish their own party.
For now the regional police are not predicting another wave of demonstrations,
marches through Romani neighborhoods, or other forms of public disorder as a
result of the split. “We believe there is not much risk of militant units being
organized,” said Ústí Regional Police spokesperson Valerie Bartošová.
“That’s not their style today. They mainly are trying to get into politics
through legal means. That’s where they would have the chance to change something,”
Bartošová said, describing the Ústí region as a calm place that does not feature
extremist groups, just individuals.
Kotáb rejected the notion that the new party would try to attract attention
through rioting or any other eccentric behavior. “I can’t quote from a platform
right now, but we will base the new party on our previous ideas. I don’t want to
be the party chair – that will be a person from academia,” he said.
For the time being the new party is in the phase of gathering signatures.
Organizers need 1 000 to register.
“So far we have collected around 700. We would rather have more than we need
because the ministry will reject some. I presume the movement should be up and
running by the summer,” Kotáb said.
