Czechia: History and EU Integration

Introduction

• Czechia (also known as the Czech Republic):
  • Located in Central Europe
  • Officially adopted the name "Czechia" in 2016 to simplify references
  • Capital: Prague, also referred to as "the City of a Hundred Spires"

Historical Background

• Formation of Czechoslovakia:

  • Established in 1918 after World War I
  • Combined regions: Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, Slovakia, and Subcarpathian Rus

• Munich Agreement (1938):

  • Major European countries allowed Nazi Germany to take the Sudetenland without Czechoslovakia's consent
  • Refers to as “About us, Without us”

• World War II:

  • In March 1939, Germany occupied remaining Czech regions, leading to loss of independence

• Post-War Changes:

  • 1948: Communists took control, changing the governance system
  • Prague Spring (1968): Movement for reforms, ended by Soviet invasion
  • Velvet Revolution (1989): Peaceful end to communism, transition towards democracy and capitalism

• Split of Czechoslovakia:

  • January 1, 1993: Peaceful division into Czechia and Slovakia

EU Membership

• Joining the EU:
  • Czechia joined the OECD (1994), NATO (1999), and the EU (2004)
  • Maintains its own currency, the Czech Crown, not adopting the Euro yet
  • Joined the Schengen Area (2007) for passport-free travel

Current Economic Status

• GDP of Czechia:
  • Total: 276 billion Euros (2022)
  • GDP per capita: 26 thousand Euros, ranked 17th in Europe
  • Comparisons: Czechia trails behind Estonia and Slovenia, but ahead of Portugal and Lithuania
  • Intra-EU trade: 80% of exports
    • Major trade partners: Germany (30%), Slovakia (8%), Poland (6%)

Political System

• Parliamentary Democracy:

  • Constitution established in December 1992
  • President: Ceremonial role
  • Prime Minister: Head of government, responsible for governance
  • Bicameral Parliament:
    • Chamber of Deputies: 200 members, elected every four years
    • Senate: 81 members, elected every two years for a third of the seats

• Current Political Landscape:

  • Coalition of five parties, majority with 108 out of 200 seats
  • Priorities: Economic growth, healthcare, pro-EU relations

Czechia in the EU

• European Parliament Representation:

  • 21 seats, ranked 8th among EU countries
  • Distribution: 5 center-right EPP, 1 center-left S&D, 4 eurosceptic ECR, 1 far-right I&D, 5 centrist liberal Renew, 3 Greens, 1 far-left, 1 unaffiliated

• Public Opinion:

  • 2003 referendum: 77% in favor of joining the EU
  • 2023: 63% support EU membership, still a strong eurosceptic sentiment

• Czechia's EU Relations:

  • Benefits from EU funds (receives 2.8 billion euros more than it contributes)
  • EU as largest trading partner
  • Public dissatisfaction due to issues like refugee crisis management and income disparities

Conclusion

• Many Czechs identify as 'Euroreformists':
  • Desire for less EU involvement in daily life, more action in defense and quality of life improvements
  • Discussion on potential reforms and European Army integration
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