If there was anyone who found political success this year, it is undoubtedly the former ANO 2011 MP, Jaroslava Pokorná Jermanová. The reason she is a former MP is that she succeeded in this year's European election and headed to the European Parliament. Additionally, she also fought her way into the Central Bohemian Regional Assembly in the subsequent election.
You have held various public offce functions for decades. How do you perceive politics after all the things you‘ve experienced?
Politics is primarily about serving people. Politicians, elected representatives, should inherently prioritize the interests of the citizens who elect them. That’s the original mission on which the foundations of the democratic system are based, and that's something everyone should keep in mind. I hope this doesn’t sound like a cliché, but that’s just how I feel. I’ve always tried to do the best I can to improve people’s lives, whether it was in the municipality where I served as mayor, in the Central Bohemian Region where I had the honor of being the governor, in the Chamber of Deputies, or now in the European Parliament. I’ve always advocated for projects that make things better, whether it was hospitals, roads, schools, or transportation. I believe a lot has been accomplished.
Before we dive into Brussels, could you reflect on some of the more challenging moments in the Chamber? Did anything really get you worked up?
There were a lot of such moments - you’re certainly never bored there. And paradoxically, the frequency of those moments increased over time. When I was deputy speaker of the Chamber, the atmosphere was much more constructive and calmer. Even back then, I noticed that the guides during open house days would often comment on the purpose of the hall where the Chamber meets. It was originally a theater, in fact. But I don’t want to criticize the Chamber too much, I was a part of it, and MPs are elected by the people, so I’m not in favor of ridiculing MPs, as it also shows disrespect toward the voters. What always got me the most worked up was when someone blatantly and intentionally lied, or when people were plotting behind my back. I like direct communication, and I say things as they are and how I feel about them.
In the European Parliament election, the ANO movement won with 26.14 percent of the vote, securing seven seats, and you became an MEP. What does this mean for you personally?
Personally, I was pleased by the trust the citizens placed in me. I received a very high number of preferential votes, which I greatly appreciate. The media even labeled me the “rising star” of the election. However, I also see this trust as a commitment. I must meet voters’ expectations through honest work - but I always strive to do that.
What was it like when you arrived in Brussels? What surprised you?
The environment in Brussels wasn't entirely unfamiliar to me. I had previously served as the chair of the Economic Policy Commission of the European Committee of the Regions for two years, so I was already well-oriented in European structures. The European Parliament is an enormous institution. I must admit that there is a lot of administration, sometimes to an exhausting degree. I was also surprised by the conditions in which MEPs work.
What did you have to learn?
The initial procedures were really challenging, not only for me but also for my team. You also have to get used to a different language. I’m not talking about English - I handle that quite well, I hope - but what’s sometimes called “Brussels-speak.” You occasionally get lost in the documents. It’s similar to receiving an offcial letter, where you only find out that you owe a 50-crown fee for your dog on the third page of a letter filled with legalese. It’s the same with Brussels-speak.
How do you get along with your fellow MEPs from other parties?
On a personal level, I have no problem getting along with anyone. After all, we’re all representing Czechia, so we manage to get along. Politically, it can sometimes be a bit tense, but that’s normal. We belong to different groups and have different views on the mission and direction of the European Union, on topics like the Green Deal and migration as well as regional aid and others. In that sense, we diverge, but I believe that when it comes to the fundamental interests of the Czech Republic, we’ll be able to work together. But it’s still a bit early to assess such things.
What is living there like? How much time do you spend in Brussels?
Before the elections, I promised that if elected, I wouldn’t just sit in an offce in Brussels or Strasbourg. I commute to Benešov so I don’t lose touch with Czech reality, with the people, their concerns, and their perspectives. I’ve participated in debates during the regional election campaign, but many discussions were not even election-related. I was pleasantly surprised by how interested people are in what happens in the European Parliament, and I get invited to participate in debates on that topic. I try to attend as much as I can because I believe it’s important. I’m accountable to the people who elected me, and they have the right to know what’s happening in the EP and what I’m advocating for. So I spend about half my time between the European Parliament and Czechia.
You are a member of the Patriots for Europe group, which includes two representatives from the Přísaha party, Filip Turek and Nikola Bartůšek. What do you think is behind their success?
Mr. Turek became a phenomenon in the European election. Only time will tell if his voters’ expectations were justified. He mainly impressed people with his unconventional communication style, which can be a positive. It’s up to him how he uses his mandate. As for our views, we agree on some things, but we also see others differently. Even within ANO, not all members share the same views, let alone when Mr. Turek is part of another political entity, albeit within the same group. We probably agree, for example, that the Green Deal, as it stands, is nonsensical.
What will you be fighting for in Brussels?
I’m a member of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, and I’d also like to get involved in the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on Security and Defense. And my “assignments” stem from these. I want to focus on supporting regional activities, particularly entrepreneurship in small and medium-sized enterprises, the development of the banking market, and similar topics. In the security subcommittee, I want to gain insight into the arms industry. I want the support that the EU allocates to be meaningful and truly helpful.
After the regional election, you became a member of the Central Bohemian Regional Assembly again. Can you manage both positions?
Yes, it’s manageable. I won’t be the only one combining similar roles. Some might argue that I’m doing it because I crave power or money. I've heard that from the opposition a few times. But that’s not the case. The reason is simple - the European Union is supposed to serve Europeans, and by staying connected to what’s happening in towns or the region, I’ll be able to leverage both roles to do my job better and maintain a connection to how things are done in practice. I believe that as an MEP, I can also be useful in the regional assembly.
How did you spend this summer? How do you recharge?
It might sound simple, but I recharge at home with my wonderful family. My husband, son, and little daughter are a huge source of energy for me. My hobby is baking, which helps me completely unwind and relax. It’s a dangerous hobby when it comes to healthy living, but I really enjoy it. For downtime, I love curling up with a good book in an armchair. Otherwise, in July, we had the inaugural session of the European Parliament, so the summer was quite busy with work. But I did manage to take a vacation with my children, husband, and sisters.
CV BOX
Jaroslava Pokorná Jermanová (born August 17, 1970, in Karlovy Vary) is a member of the European Parliament for ANO 2011.
She studied business and economics at the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Agriculture in Prague. She worked for several different companies and was also involved in the Union of Towns and Municipalities.
She entered politics when she got elected as an independent candidate in the 1998 municipal election for the municipal council of Krhanice in the Benešov region, where she went on to become mayor. She joined ODS in 2004, became a member of the Central Bohemian Regional Assembly, and unsuccessfully attempted to attain a seat in
the Chamber on the party’s ticket in 2011.
She joined ANO in 2011 and became an MP and first deputy speaker of the Chamber two years later. She had held this position until 2017 and has managed to once again fight her way into the Chamber in 2021. She was the president of the Central Bohemian Region between the years 2016 and 2020.
She is married and has a son, Michal, and daughter, Emma.
