VOICED: Czech Communists hope to step out of shadows

The mining town of Ostrava in the Czech Republic faces high unemployment, leading to strong support for the Communist Party, which consistently gains 10-15% of the vote. Despite this, they have not been part of a coalition since the Velvet Revolution of 1989. The Social Democratic Party, poised to win the most seats, lacks a majority and may consider a coalition with the Communists, despite internal divisions and historical tensions. This potential alliance is controversial, with a third of Social Democratic voters opposed. The final election results will determine if the CSSD takes this risk for stable governance.

What challenges do the Social Democrats face regarding collaboration with the Communist Party?

In what ways has the historical context of communism in the Czech Republic influenced current political alliances?