ANO movement MP Monika Oborná is a member of the Committee on European Affairs and also the chair of the parliamentary friendship group with Slovakia. In this year’s fall election, she will head up the party ticket in her native Vysočina, a region she cares deeply about.
As chairwoman of the friendship group with Slovakia, how do you see the current relationship? It seems that the policy of Robert Fico’s government does not quite suit our own government…
I am not happy about this development. Society is becoming more radicalized, and more and more I see that having a different opinion or perspective is enough reason for ostracism. It’s sad that in addition to extremists, our government and its supporters are the ones pushing this trend forward. We saw it during the presidential election, and we are seeing it now too. Decency and the willingness to talk and seek compromise are disappearing. I have a theory about it. It’s that government politicians in particular behave like teenagers who are in love with a music star, looking at them uncritically and idolizing them. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Petr Fiala kept pictures of Ursula von der Leyen in his drawer and Martin Kupka had pictures of Petr Fiala…
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz threatened to take a tougher stance toward Slovakia and Hungary if they continue blocking EU decision-making. What’s your view on that?
The right of veto is an absolutely legitimate tool, which we ourselves used back when the V4 was still functioning – it helped us negotiate better terms. Germany has used it in the past too, so I think the problem lies elsewhere. Although I understand Mr. Merz wants to pressure those who hold a different view as part of negotiations. That’s politics.
If ANO returns to government, will you strive for warmer relations with Slovakia?
Definitely. Personally, I think the current state of mild tension is completely unnecessary.
Does the Visegrád Four still exist at all?
Formally yes, but it’s not functional. The problem is that this government, as usual, completely misunderstood the essence of the V4. One of its main goals was to strengthen the influence of Central European countries within the EU – and that worked. Petr Fiala dismantled this grouping to the delight of other countries. But that’s because he wasn’t interested in defending the interests of the Czech Republic or this bloc – he just wanted to be the EU’s pet.
In the fall election, you’ll be ANO’s lead candidate in Vysočina. Do you like election campaigns?
I enjoy campaigns – it’s a lively period. Although I admit that for voters, it can sometimes be a bit annoying.
Has any party surprised or shocked you lately?
I wouldn’t say anyone has outright shocked me. I’m glad that my campaign is going well in Vysočina. The highlight for me so far was being invited into someone’s home, where we discussed politics over homemade pastries. And do you know what else made me really happy? The other day in a grocery store, I heard a lady whisper to her husband, “Look, that’s our Monika over there.” That was great. Unlike other candidates, I really am a true Vysočina girl through and through. My colleagues used to tease me and ask, “Where are your eggs?” But since eggs got more expensive, they’ve become noticeably more humble. [laughs]
Currently, the so-called bitcoin scandal is making waves. What’s your take on it?
What Petr Fiala, Pavel Blažek, and Zbyněk Stanjura have done to the Czech Republic with the bitcoin money-laundering scandal is a huge disgrace. I always thought things like this only happened in the Wild East or somewhere in South America. It seems the value-based politics of the ODS was just a trick for gullible voters.
ANO is leading the polls by a wide margin. Do you think mail-in voting could change that?
I wouldn’t underestimate it, but I wouldn’t overestimate it either. Government politicians have, of course, set it up in a way that suits them, but on our side, we have arguments and data that clearly show Petr Fiala’s government has done nothing good for the people of the Czechia.
Is it really possible to abuse mail-in voting, as opposition politicians often claim?
I am not a fan of mail-in voting because it unnecessarily introduces uncertainty into elections that, up until now, no one ever questioned. But that’s typical of this government – they don’t care about factual arguments. They brute force whatever suits them.
What will you run on? What’s the most important thing?
We’ll present the Movement’s program later, but I can give you a hint. Unlike others, we think about all people as well as the future. As for Vysočina, two things are crucial. First, completing the Dukovany nuclear power plant, which will affect the entire region and which the government is so far handling poorly. Second, respecting the specifics of our region and supporting life in smaller towns and villages.
Will you even have time for private activities before the election? What will your summer look like?
This summer I’ll spend in Vysočina – that’s certain. I’m looking forward to it because every time I travel around our region during the campaign, I discover something new. And I’ll definitely find time to stop by a campsite for a swim, go for a bike ride, or visit an outdoor cinema. But I hope my family doesn’t read this, because they’d remind me that someone still has to take care of the garden.
CV BOX
Monika Oborná (born April 2, 1989, in Třebíč) is an MP for the ANO 2011 movement.
She graduated from the Faculty of Agronomy at Mendel University in Brno with an engineering degree. From 2013, she worked as an assistant to Minister for Regional Development Věra Jourová. She also worked as a project manager at AGRO 2000.
She is a co-founder of the ANO 2011 movement. From 2014 to 2018, she was a member of the municipal assembly in Náměšť nad Oslavou. She was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in the fall of 2017, receiving over 2,500 preferential votes. She successfully defended her seat in the last election.
She lives in Vysočina and is single.
ad
