2014 Plzeň municipal election

Plzeň municipal election in 2014 was held as part of 2014 Czech municipal elections. It was held on 10 and 11 October 2014. ANO 2011 received the highest number of votes but Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) won the same number of seats in the City's assembly. Civic Democratic Party ruled in Plzeň more than 20 years but was expected to lose its positions and receive only 10% of votes. In an electoral upset, ODS received more than 17%. Leader of local Civic Democrats Martin Baxa said that he believes that ODS was the actual victor of the election.[1][2] Voter turnout was 33.73%.

2014 Plzeň municipal election
10–11 October 2014
All 47 seats in the Assembly
23 seats needed for a majority
Turnout33.73%
  First party Second party Third party
 
Leader Pavel Šrámek Martin Baxa Martin Zrzavecký
Party ANO ODS ČSSD
Seats won 10 10 10
Popular vote 329,815 323,390 303,042
Percentage 17.9% 17.6% 16.5%
  Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party
 
Leader Ondřej Ženíšek Václav Štěkl Marcel Hájek
Party TOP 09 KSČM OPAT
Seats won 5 5 4
Popular vote 166,696 152,903 134,761
Percentage 9.1% 8.3% 7.3%
  Seventh party
 
Leader Petr Náhlík
Party Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party
Seats won 3
Popular vote 104,535
Percentage 5.7%
Mayor before election

Martin Baxa
ODS

 Elected Mayor

Martin Zrzavecký
ČSSD

The coalition between Civic Democratic Party, Czech Social Democratic Party, Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party and Citizens Patriots was formed on 18 October. Social Democrat Martin Zrzavecký became Mayor of Plzeň while Civic Democrat Baxa his First Deputy.[2]

Parties contesting the election

ANO 2011

Centrist ANO 2011 was led by MP Pavel Šrámek. ANO was considered one of the front-runners in the city.[3] ANO wanted to focus on analysis of city's public debt and on Traffic. Šrámek stated that he would organise European Capital of Culture more humbly.[4]

Christian and Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU-ČSL)

Centrist KDU-ČSL was led by Petr Náhlík. KDU-ČSL aimed at traffic and city's debt during the election.[4]

Citizens Patriots (OPAT)

Local party OPAT was formed in July 2014 by parties Občané.cz and Patriots. I was led by Marcel Hájek.[5] OPAT won support of many celebrities from Plzeň such as Director Václav Chaloupek or Ice Hockey Player Michal Dvořák.[6]

Civic Democratic Party (ODS)

Centre-right ODS was led by incumbent Mayor Martin Baxa. Baxa stated that the main task for incoming City Council would be European Capital of Culture 2015 and use of its potential.[7] Party was expected to lose heavily and many visible personas of ODS left the party and ran for different formations.[6] Party focused during its campaign to presenting its successes in previous years. Priorities for 2014-2018 were European Capital of Culture, continuity of Traffic buildings and Tram Line to Borská pole.[4]

Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM)

KSČM was led by Václav Štekl.[4]

Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD)

Centre-left ČSSD was led by Martin Zrzavecký. ČSSD ruled in grand coalition with ODS since 2010. Party's priorities was drawing subsidies from European Union, investment to Science and Traffic.[4] ČSSD was front-runner according to polls.

Right Choice for Plzeň (PVP)

Local party led by Vladimír Duchek. The party focused on building of infrastructure and fight against gambling.[4]

TOP 09

Centre-right TOP 09 was led by MP Ondřej Ženíšek.[8] TOP 09 aimed for European Capital of Culture and closure of the city to cars. It also opposed Gambling in the city and corruption.[4]

Campaign
Poster for the campaign of the Civic Democratic Party

Civic Democratic Party led campaign with slogan "Pilsen is different" with subtitle "We didn't play a theatre, we build it." Party's billboards used blue colour which contrasted with campaign of other parties that used white colour. ODS presented itself by successes of its rule over the city in previous term.[9][10] Campaign of Civic Democrats was awarded by 8 Golden Ballot Awards.[11] Campaign of ODS was manufactured by Adam Hejl, Michal Kupilík and Petr Sokol.[12]

Civic Democratic Party was expected to receive less than 10% of votes and ANO 2011 was front-runner along with Czech Social Democratic Party.[13] Civic Democratic Party eventually came second and won 10 seats. The same number was won by ANO 2011 and Social Democratic Party.[14]

Opinion polling
Published Company ČSSD ANO TOP 09 OPAT
 KSČM ODS KDU
ČSL		 SzP VZP PVP SSO DSZ ZpP others
11 October 2014 Election 16.5 17.9 9.1 7.3 8.3 17.6 5.7 4.8 2.9 2.7 2.2 0.1 2.5 2.4
29 September 2014 Sanep[15] 20.3-23.8 18.2-22.6 11.9-12.6 8.6-12.2 8.4-9.8 7.1-10.4 4.1-6.2 3.2-6.0 3.5-6.1 3.9-5.3 2.1-3.2 1.8-3.1 0.6-3.0 >3
11 September 2014 Sanep[16] 20.5-23.9 17.9-22.1 11.7-12.4 7.8-10.4 8.4-9.8 7.8-9.6 4.1-6.3 3.1-6.1 3.4-5.9 4.1-5.6 2.1-3.1 1.9-3.0 0.6-3.0 >3
20–21 October 2013 2013 legislative election[17] 20.3 18.9 15.1 0.3[18] 11.8 11.3 5.0 6.8[19] 5.0[20] N/A 3.0 N/A N/A 2.6

Results
Party Leader Votes % Seats
ANO 2011Pavel Šrámek329,81517.9010
Civic Democratic PartyMartin Baxa323,39017.5510
Czech Social Democratic PartyMartin Zrzavecký303,04216.4510
TOP 09Ondřej Ženíšek166,6969.055
Communist Party of Bohemia and MoraviaVáclav Štěkl152,9038.305
Citizens PatriotsMarcel Hájek134,7617.314
Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's PartyPetr Náhlík104,5355.673
Together for PlzeňPetr Vaněk88,1004.780
Public Interests of PlzeňDita Portová53,6612.910
Right Choice for PlzeňVladimír Duchek50,4692.740
Change for PlzeňMartin Marek45,7632.480
Party of Free CitizensJan Zavadil41,1312.230
Plzeň for SportNaděžda Mauleová32,9061.790
Workers' PartyJiří Štěpánek10,2150.550
Party of Civic RightsJan Kůrka2,3580.190
RepublicMartin Ščepka2,0250.130
Democratic Green PartyZdeněk Kylián8440.050
Total1 842 61410047

Elected representatives
Num Representative Party Votes
1. Martin Baxa ODS 9,843
2. Jiří Šneberger ODS 8,539
3. Lumír Aschenbrenner ODS 8,530
4. Ivana Mádlová ANO 7,882
5. Pavel Šrámek ANO 7,791
6. Miloslava Rutová ANO 7,610
7. Roman Zarzycký ANO 7,502
8. Bohuslav Rada ANO 7,434
9. Veronika Jilichová Nová ODS 7,426
10. Vlastimil Gola ANO 7,388
11. David Procházka ANO 7,311
12. Pavel Šindelář ODS 7,311
13. Petr Fišer ANO 7,250
14. Petr Šustáček ANO 7,232
15. Eliška Bartáková ANO 7,219
16. Martin Zrzavecký ČSSD 7,182
17. Eva Herinková ČSSD 7,098
18. David Šlouf ODS 7,054
19. Helena Matoušová ODS 7,039
20. Milan Uhlík ODS 7,019
21. Jakub Čermák ODS 6,992
22. Eva Trůková ODS 6,972
23. Miroslav Brabec ČSSD 6,898
24. Petr Osvald ČSSD 6,792
25. Jiří Kuthan ČSSD 6,703
26. Jiří Bis ČSSD 6,673
27. Pavel kotas ČSSD 6,666
28. Rusolf Mayer ČSSD 6,634
29. Pavel Duchek ČSSD 6,617
30. Milan Šupík ČSSD 6,531
31. Ondřej Ženíšek TOP 09 4,688
32. Michal Vozobule TOP 09 4,221
33. Marcel Hájek OPAT 4,157
34. Václav Chaloupek OPAT 4,139
35. Ilona Jehličková TOP 09 3,953
36. Jan Fluxa TOP 09 3,924
37. Petr Suchý TOP 09 3,833
38. Václav Štěkl KSČM 3,766
39. Petr Náhlík KDU-ČSL 3,690
40. Jana Bystřická KSČM 3,570
41. Ludvík Rösch OPAT 3,478
42. Monika Magdaléna Štefanová KSČM 3,458
43. Karel Kvit KSČM 3,441
44. František Hrubeš KSČM 3,429
45. Michal Dvořák OPAT 3,412
46. Pavel Boček KDU-ČSL 3,091
47. Pavel Janouškovec KDU-ČSL 3,036

Aftermath

Reactions

Civic Democratic leader Martin Baxa was amazed by result of his party. He stated that ODS was de facto victor of the election. He stated that voters appreciated successes of the previous council. He was also glad that he received highest number of votes of all candidates.[21]

Pavel Šrámek also considered the result a success. He stated that "History never asks how much you win but if you win. Both strongest parties, ODS and ANO 2011 expressed intention to negotiate with all other parties with exception of Communists.[22][23]

Leader of Social Democrats Martin Zrzavecký admitted disappointment with the election. "None of us expected ODS to be that successful and we are third and can't be satisfied as we should be. Zrzavecký expressed will to negotiate with ANO 2011 and ODS.[24]

Coalition formation

Coalition talks started soon after the election. Media talked about Martin Baxa, Martin Zrzavecký and Pavel Šrámek as possible candidates for Mayor.[25] Coalition needed to consist of at least 3 parties.[26] Coalition was formed on 18 October 2014. Civic Democratic Party formed Council with Czech Social Democratic Party, Christian and Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party and Citizens Patriots. Coalition has majority of 27 seats.[27] Social Democrat Zrzavecký became the mayor while Civic Democratic leader Baxa became deputy Mayor.[28] Council consists of 4 Civic Democrats, 3 Social Democrats, 1 Christian Democrat and 1 Citizen Patriot.[29]

Czech Social Democratic Party originally planned to form coalition with ANO 2011 and Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party but changed mind due to alleged unreliability of Pavel Šrámek.[30]

Election of the new council was held on 6 November 2014. Martin Zrzavecký was elected new Mayor while Martin Baxa became his first Deputy. Roman Zarzycký was elected Chairman of the control committee which is position traditionally held by leader of opposition.[31]

Formed council
PositionMemberPartyReceived votes
MayorMartin ZrzaveckýČSSD
28 / 46
1st Deputy, deputy for cultureMartin BaxaODS
27 / 46
Economical deputyPavel KotasČSSD
27 / 46
Deputy for transport and environmentPetr NáhlíkKDU-ČSL
27 / 46
Technical DeputyPavel ŠindelářODS
28 / 46
Deputy for education and social affairsEva HerinkováČSSD
27 / 46
Councillor for management of city's propertyHelena MatoušováODS
27 / 46
Councillor for support of business and sportMichal DvořákOPAT
28 / 46
Councillor for management of city's estatesDavid ŠloufODS
27 / 46
Source:[32]

Other major positions
PositionMemberPartyReceived votes
Chairman of control committeeRoman ZarzyckýANO
35 / 46

Later development

Council then organised European Capital of Culture in 2015. Martin Baxa was responsible for the project as a Deputy for Culture. The project was positively received by MEPS and citizens of Plzeň.[33][34] On 7 December 2015 Supreme audit office released report that criticised that one third of Subsidies wasn't pumped. City and council disagreed with the report and submitted objections.[35][36] Complex report on the project was released in June 2016. It praised economical impac on the city. Visitors spent over 500 Million Czech crowns in the city and new jobs were created.[37][38]

In February 2015 Chairman of control committee and ANO 2011 politician Roman Zárzycký was charged that he broke into a computer of his ex-wife and stole intimate information about her business and used it for his opportunity.[39] Jury concluded in December 2016 that Zárzycký got this information from his sons mobile and that Zárzyck didn't commit a misconduct he was charged with. Zárzycký got access to his wife's Facebook conversation from his son's mobile. Information there showed that his wife was smoking weed and regularly drinking. Zárzycký was alleged to use this information along with intimate photographs of his ex-wife during a dispute over a custody of their children. Jury concluded that concerns over children were stronger than protection of mail secret[40][41][42]

Pavel Šrámek resigned on his position in regional ANO in October 2015. It was speculated that it was a result of the election and Šrámek's failure to form a coalition. Šrámek refused these speculations and stated it was dueto his work in the Parliament.[43]

Michal Dvořák left the council on 20 April 2017 and was replaced by Petr Chvojka. Dvořák was charged with allegations of corruption.[44]

References
  1. "Volby v Plzni těsně vyhrálo hnutí ANO, překvapením je úspěch ODS". iDNES.cz. 11 October 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  2. "Strany vyšachovaly vítězné ANO i v Plzni. Povládne stará koalice". Lidovky.cz. 18 October 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  3. "Volebním lídrem hnutí ANO v Plzni bude nejspíš poslanec Pavel Šrámek". iDNES.cz. 13 April 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  4. "Hra o budoucího primátora Plzně - zaběhnutí šíbři i nováčci". ČT24 (in Czech). Česká televize. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  5. "Občané.cz a Patrioti vytvořili nové uskupení, do voleb půjdou společně". iDNES.cz. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  6. "Do voleb v Plzni jdou bojovníci proti obchoďáku Corso i filmař Chaloupek". iDNES.cz. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  7. "Lídrem plzeňské kandidátky ODS pro komunální volby se stal podle očekávání primátor Martin Baxa". Regionpodlupou.cz. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  8. "Plzeňským lídrem voleb je Ondřej Ženíšek". Plzeň.cz (in Czech). 16 June 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  9. Beneš, Richard. "ODS vstupuje do ostré volební kampaně vyladěná do modra a se sloganem "Plzeň je jiná"". Region pod Lupou (in Czech). Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  10. "Plzeňská ODS si ve videu ve stylu Pelíšků dělá legraci z Babiše". Parlamentní Listy (in Czech). Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  11. "Nejlepší politické kampaně měli Svobodní, ODS a Láska". Mediaguru.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  12. "Zlatý lístek ocenil nejlepší české politické kampaně". Markething.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  13. "V obecních volbách jsou favority ČSSD a ANO, ODS propadá". TÝDEN.cz (in Czech). 11 September 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  14. "Politolog: ODS v Plzni pomohlo, že se primátor vyhnul spojení s kmotry". iDNES.cz (in Czech). 12 October 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
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  16. "Průzkum: Volby v Plzni by nyní vyhrála ČSSD před ANO a TOP 09". Plzeňský deník (in Czech). 11 September 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  17. "Výsledky hlasování za územní celky". volby.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  18. Freeholder Party result
  19. Result of Pirates, Greens and Change movement
  20. Dawn result
  21. "Primátor Baxa: Fakticky vyhrála volby v Plzni ODS". Plzeňský deník (in Czech). 12 October 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  22. "ODS a ANO chtějí v Plzni vyjednávat se všemi kromě komunistů". Regionplzen.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  23. "Volby v Plzni vyhrálo těsně hnutí ANO, druhá je ODS". Rozhlas.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  24. "Martin Zrzavecký: Spokojenost není úplně taková, jaká by měla být". Regionpodlupou.cz. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  25. "Určí Plzni primátora v Praze?". Plzeňský deník (in Czech). 14 October 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  26. "O konečné podobě koalic v Plzeňském kraji je zatím jasno pouze v těchto městech". Parlamentní Listy (in Czech). Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  27. "Ve vedení Plzně zasedne ČSSD, ODS, lidovci a Občané patrioti". Parlamentní Listy (in Czech). Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  28. "V Plzni se strany dohodly na koalici. Vítězná ANO jde do opozice". iDNES.cz (in Czech). 18 October 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  29. "V Plzni vznikla koalice, jasno je i ve Strakonicích". ČT24 (in Czech). Česká televize. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
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  31. "Plzeň má nové vedení! Primátorem je Martin Zrzavecký". Qap.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  32. "Město Plzeň má devítičlennou radu s pěti náměstky primátora a trojicí radních". Region pod Lupou. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  33. Pecuch, Martin. "Lidé jsou spokojeni s projektem Plzeň – Evropské hlavní město kultury 2015". Plzeň.eu (in Czech). Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  34. Pecuch, Martin. "Europoslanci v Plzni pozitivně hodnotí projekt Evropské hlavní město kultury". Plzeň.eu (in Czech). Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  35. "Třetina eurodotací na akci Plzeň - Evropské hlavní město kultury se nevyčerpala, zjistil NKÚ". Aktuálně.cz (in Czech). 7 December 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  36. "Kvůli nepřipravenosti přišlo město kultury o miliony eur, říká NKÚ". iDNES.cz (in Czech). 7 December 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
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  38. "Návštěvníci Plzně 2015 utratili půl miliardy, vznikla i nová pracovní místa". iDNES.cz (in Czech). 11 June 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  39. "Zarzycký: Z osobního problému mám teď politickou kauzu". Plzeňský deník (in Czech). 26 February 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  40. "Politik zveřejnil intimní snímky exmanželky. Trest mu soud zrušil". TÝDEN.cz (in Czech). 6 December 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  41. "Nevinen, rozhodl soud o politikovi ANO, který měl šířit erotické fotky exmanželky". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  42. "Šíření intimních snímků exmanželky není trestné, řekl soud o politikovi". iDNES.cz (in Czech). 6 December 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  43. "Šrámek končí v krajské funkci ANO". Plzeňský deník (in Czech). 16 October 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  44. "Radní Dvořák rezignoval, jeho nástupcem byl zvolen Petr Chvojka". Plzeňský deník (in Czech). 20 April 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
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