Outspoken Student Agency founder Radim Jančura has sought to bust Czech Railways’ virtual monopoly and often clashed with local and national politicians, and administrations, not always keen to see a new competitor on the block. In an exclusive interview, he attacks the Czech competition office for failing to perform its anti-graft role, and points an accussing finger at the ministers of labor and finance – sparking legal proceedings against him for slander.

When the Czech domestic intelligence service BIS conducted an investigation into the controversial lobbyist and businessman Roman Janoušek back in 2007, its agents discovered that he was in contact with then-police president Vladislav Husák. In telephone conversations legally tapped by BIS agents, however, the two only ever spoke about arranging a meeting place.

Frustrated with the state of corruption in Czech politics, Andrej Babiš, one of the country’s richest entrepreneurs, last year founded the political movement ANO 2011, which plans to register as a party and put forward candidates in upcoming elections. In an exclusive interview with Czech Position, he speaks about cronyism in Prague City Hall under former mayor Pavel Bém (ODS) and the influence of lobbyists like Roman Janoušek and “mafias” on the political landscape.

The Czech constitution calls for competing political parties within a democratic framework, but the parties often forget the voters’ right to choose and that past success is no guarantee for the future. The Civic Democrats (ODS) have failed to heed increasing voter disillusionment and are ready to roll out a bland, empty election campaign for the fall Senate and regional elections. For this they will be punished, warns Bohumíl Studýnka.