Svoboda a přímá demokracie (SPD / Freedom and Direct Democracy)
EU RANK: 184 (Tier 5: High Risk)
SPD is a far‑right, anti‑immigrant, anti‑Islam and strongly Eurosceptic party led by Tomio Okamura, advocating referendums, restrictions on migration and scepticism toward NATO and the EU. It has a stable parliamentary presence and exerts agenda‑setting influence on debates about migration, security and foreign policy.
Disinformation and alternative media
SPD is deeply embedded in a network of far‑right websites, YouTube channels and Facebook pages that spread conspiratorial content about migrants, Muslims, Roma, the EU, vaccines and “global elites”. Our research and broader studies on Czech disinformation consistently identify SPD and its ecosystem as central disseminators of Russian‑aligned narratives on NATO, Ukraine and Western decadence.
The party frequently shares or echoes misleading and false claims from fringe portals, and some of its representatives have appeared on or amplified Russian state‑linked media. Disinformation/alternative‑media DMI risk is high.
Foreign influence and external alignments
SPD is officially critical of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but simultaneously opposes many sanctions, calls for “peace talks” on Kremlin‑friendly terms and questions Western support for Kyiv. Its narratives often align with Russian propaganda in portraying the EU and NATO as aggressors and undermining trust in Czech alliances.
Although direct funding links to Russia are not publicly proven, the ideological and narrative proximity significantly increases susceptibility to hostile influence. Foreign‑influence DMI risk is high.
Media capture, advertising and public service media
SPD lacks control over major mainstream media or state‑owned enterprises, limiting classic capture capacity. Instead, it relies on its alternative‑media ecosystem and continuous attacks on Česká televize and Český rozhlas, which it denounces as “traitorous” or “pro‑EU propaganda”.
Its strategic goal appears to be delegitimising PSBs and boosting its parallel information sphere, which would make any future institutional power grab exceptionally dangerous for media pluralism. Media‑capture DMI risk is medium–high given current limited formal power but high intent.
Corruption, litigation and institutional integrity
Litigation sources list various controversies around SPD financing, use of parliamentary allowances, and opaque links with associated associations and entrepreneurs, though large‑scale criminal convictions are limited so far. The party’s radical proposals—such as referendums on EU membership—threaten institutional stability even without classical corruption.
Its promotion of xenophobic policies and questioning of core constitutional commitments (minority protection, international treaties) undermines democratic integrity. Corruption and institutional‑integrity DMI risk is high.
Press freedom, harassment and treatment of media
SPD leaders aggressively attack journalists and outlets they view as hostile, labelling them “servants of Brussels” or “anti‑Czech traitors”, which fuels online harassment by supporters. They repeatedly call for cuts to PSB fees, personnel purges and radical restructuring, which would endanger editorial independence if implemented.
Individual reporters covering extremism and disinformation have reported intimidation and smear campaigns coming from SPD‑linked spheres. Press‑freedom and harassment DMI risk is high.
| Dimension | Risk level | Short justification |
|---|---|---|
| Disinformation & alternative media | High | Central node in far‑right, conspiratorial and pro‑Kremlin information networks. |
| Foreign influence & external alignments | High | Narratives closely mirror Russian propaganda on EU/NATO and Ukraine. |
| Media‑capture & advertising / PSB control | Medium–High | No mainstream assets yet, but sustained delegitimisation and plans to overhaul PSBs. |
| Corruption & institutional‑integrity risk | High | Funding controversies and radical agenda undermining constitutional commitments. |
| Press‑freedom & harassment of media | High | Persistent vilification and harassment of journalists and PSBs. |