TOP 09
EU RANK: 26 (Tier 1: Top Performance)
TOP 09 is a liberal‑conservative, strongly pro‑EU and pro‑Western party with a base among urban, educated voters and segments of the centre‑right establishment. It has participated in several governing coalitions and is part of the SPOLU alliance with ODS and KDU‑ČSL, currently influential in national politics.
Disinformation and alternative media
TOP 09 communicates mainly through mainstream media, quality newspapers, online portals and social media; it lacks its own large media holdings. The party consistently warns about Russian and Chinese disinformation, supports fact‑checking projects and has joined cross‑party initiatives to counter malign foreign influence in the information space.
Our sources note that TOP 09 politicians are frequently attacked by pro‑Kremlin and far‑right outlets as “traitors” or “Euro‑fanatics”, again indicating they are more targets than originators of disinformation. Disinformation/alternative‑media risk is low.
Foreign influence and external alignments
TOP 09 is one of the most outspokenly pro‑EU and pro‑NATO forces in Czechia, advocating strong support for Ukraine, sanctions on Russia and Belarus, and scepticism toward Chinese investments in strategic sectors. It promotes closer integration with core EU states and supports robust transatlantic links.
There is no evidence that TOP 09 is used as a vehicle for hostile foreign influence; on the contrary, it pushes for stricter screening of foreign investments and transparency around lobbying and party funding. Foreign‑influence DMI risk is low.
Media capture, advertising and public service media
TOP 09 does not control major media groups, and its funding base is relatively fragmented among business donors, professionals and public subsidies. It has criticised the concentration of media ownership in the hands of Andrej Babiš and other oligarchs and backed legislative efforts to reduce conflicts of interest.
In coalition, TOP 09 supports safeguarding Česká televize and Český rozhlas from partisan takeovers, though its leverage is limited compared to larger partners. Its media‑capture DMI risk is low–medium.
Corruption, litigation and institutional integrity
Litigation data from 2015–2025 show only isolated cases involving TOP 09‑linked officials, mostly at regional level, and no systemic corruption scandals comparable to those affecting ANO or older parties. The party promotes fiscal responsibility and rule‑of‑law reforms, though its earlier association with some establishment elites has drawn criticism from anti‑system actors.
Overall, watchdog assessments place TOP 09 among parties with relatively clean records but limited transformative capacity. Corruption and institutional‑integrity DMI risk is low–medium.
Press freedom, harassment and treatment of media
TOP 09 has consistently defended independent journalism and public‑service media against attacks by Andrej Babiš, President Zeman and far‑right actors. It opposes attempts to politicise broadcaster councils and has supported legal protections for journalists and whistle‑blowers.
While it sometimes criticises perceived bias, there is no pattern of smear campaigns or attempts to economically punish critical outlets. Press‑freedom and harassment DMI risk is low–medium.
| Dimension | Risk level | Short justification |
|---|---|---|
| Disinformation & alternative media | Low | No media assets; vocal opponent of Russian/Chinese disinformation, often a target of such campaigns. |
| Foreign influence & external alignments | Low | Strongly pro‑EU/NATO, backs sanctions and FDI screening. |
| Media‑capture & advertising / PSB control | Low–Medium | Limited structural influence; advocates anti‑capture reforms. |
| Corruption & institutional‑integrity risk | Low–Medium | Few litigation cases; establishment ties but no major scandals. |
| Press‑freedom & harassment of media | Low–Medium | Defends PSBs and journalists; no evidence of harassment strategy. |