Czechia
Free
95
100
| PR Political Rights | 37 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 58 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
94
100
Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60.
See the methodology.
The Czech Republic is a parliamentary democracy in which political rights and civil liberties are generally respected. Illiberal rhetoric and the influence of powerful business entities in the political arena are visible. The country has recently made progress in the fight against government corruption.
- In September, the opposition Action of Dissatisfied Citizens (ANO) party of former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš secured the top spot in 10 of the country’s 13 regional elections and performed strongly in the simultaneous senatorial elections. The polls were well-managed and stakeholders accepted the results. Voter turnout was low, at only 33 percent.
- The Constitutional Court annulled on procedural grounds significant parts of legislative amendments passed in 2023 that prevented government officials and parliamentarians from owning media outlets.
- In April, Parliament passed a change to the Civil Code allowing same-sex couples to form partnerships with nearly the same rights as heterosexual marriages. Some limitations remain, including concerning the adoption of children.
- Several notable corruption cases proceeded during the year. Among them, Moravia-Silesia Governor Jan Krkoška of ANO was found guilty of bribery and resigned his position, while former Chomutov Mayor Marek Hrabáč, also of ANO, was accused of accepting bribes, tax evasion, and other offenses. Both were expelled from ANO. Also, in October, officials in Brno arrested eight people on charges including abuse of official authority in connection with an alleged illegal real-estate scheme.
This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2025 due to ongoing budget constraints. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.
For additional background information, see last year’s full report.
A1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Was the current head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections? | 4.004 4.004 |
A2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Were the current national legislative representatives elected through free and fair elections? | 4.004 4.004 |
A3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are the electoral laws and framework fair, and are they implemented impartially by the relevant election management bodies? | 4.004 4.004 |
B1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do the people have the right to organize in different political parties or other competitive political groupings of their choice, and is the system free of undue obstacles to the rise and fall of these competing parties or groupings? | 4.004 4.004 |
B2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there a realistic opportunity for the opposition to increase its support or gain power through elections? | 4.004 4.004 |
B3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are the people’s political choices free from domination by forces that are external to the political sphere, or by political forces that employ extrapolitical means? | 4.004 4.004 |
B4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do various segments of the population (including ethnic, racial, religious, gender, LGBT+, and other relevant groups) have full political rights and electoral opportunities? | 3.003 4.004 |
C1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do the freely elected head of government and national legislative representatives determine the policies of the government? | 4.004 4.004 |
C2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are safeguards against official corruption strong and effective? | 3.003 4.004 |
Score Change: The score improved from 2 to 3 because the country’s anticorruption mechanisms have operated more effectively in recent years.
C3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Does the government operate with openness and transparency? | 3.003 4.004 |
D1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are there free and independent media? | 4.004 4.004 |
D2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are individuals free to practice and express their religious faith or nonbelief in public and private? | 4.004 4.004 |
D3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there academic freedom, and is the educational system free from extensive political indoctrination? | 4.004 4.004 |
D4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are individuals free to express their personal views on political or other sensitive topics without fear of surveillance or retribution? | 4.004 4.004 |
E1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there freedom of assembly? | 4.004 4.004 |
E2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there freedom for nongovernmental organizations, particularly those that are engaged in human rights– and governance-related work? | 4.004 4.004 |
E3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there freedom for trade unions and similar professional or labor organizations? | 4.004 4.004 |
F1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there an independent judiciary? | 4.004 4.004 |
F2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Does due process prevail in civil and criminal matters? | 4.004 4.004 |
F3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there protection from the illegitimate use of physical force and freedom from war and insurgencies? | 4.004 4.004 |
F4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do laws, policies, and practices guarantee equal treatment of various segments of the population? | 3.003 4.004 |
G1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy freedom of movement, including the ability to change their place of residence, employment, or education? | 4.004 4.004 |
G2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are individuals able to exercise the right to own property and establish private businesses without undue interference from state or nonstate actors? | 4.004 4.004 |
G3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy personal social freedoms, including choice of marriage partner and size of family, protection from domestic violence, and control over appearance? | 4.004 4.004 |
G4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy equality of opportunity and freedom from economic exploitation? | 3.003 4.004 |
Country Facts
-
Population
10,670,000 -
Global Freedom Score
95 100 free
