Czechoslovak Traders' Party

The Czechoslovak Traders' Party (Czech: Československá živnostensko-obchodnická strana středostavovská, ČŽOS) was a liberal and conservative political party in Czechoslovakia, whose notable leaders were Josef V. Najman and Rudolf Mlčoch.

Czechoslovak Traders' Party
Czech: Československá živnostensko-obchodnická strana středostavovská
Slovak: Československá zivnostensko-obchodnícka strana stredostavovská
LeadersRudolf Mlčoch
Josef Václav Najman
Founded1920
Dissolved22 November 1938
Split fromNational Democracy
Merged intoParty of National Unity
HeadquartersPrague, Czechoslovakia
Paramilitary wingPurple Legion
IdeologyLiberalism
Conservatism
Economic nationalism
Political positionCentre-right to right-wing
Colours  Pink,   Purple

History edit

The party was established in 1920 as a split from the National Democratic Party.[1] In the first Czechoslovak elections later in the year the ČŽOS won six seats in the Chamber of Deputies and three in the Senate.[2] The 1925 elections saw the party increase its parliamentary representation, winning 13 seats in the Chamber and six in the Senate.[2]

In the 1929 elections the ČŽOS was reduced to 12 seats in the Chamber, but retained its six Senate seats. The party was more successful in the 1935 elections, winning 17 seats in the Chamber and eight in the Senate.[2]

In 1938 the party merged into the Party of National Unity following the occupation of the country by Germany and Hungary.

Ideology edit

The party was established to represent independent retailers and craftsmen. It ran on a right-wing platform, and co-operated with the Republican Party of Farmers and Peasants in Parliament.[1]

Electoral results edit

Chamber of Deputies
Election year # of
overall votes
% of
overall vote
# of
overall seats won
+/– Leader
1920 122,813 (#12) 1.98
6 / 281
1925 285,928 (#11) 4.02
13 / 300
  7
1929 291,209 (#11) 3.9
12 / 300
  1
1935 448,049 (#9) 5.4
17 / 300
  5
Senate
Election year # of
overall votes
% of
overall vote
# of
overall seats won
+/– Leader
1920 107,674 (#11) 2.06
3 / 142
1925 257,171 (#10) 4.2
6 / 150
  3
1929 274,085 (#11) 4.2
6 / 150
  0
1935 393,732 (#9) 5.4
8 / 150
  2

References edit

  1. ^ a b Vincent E McHale (1983) Political parties of Europe, Greenwood Press, p153 ISBN 0-313-23804-9
  2. ^ a b c Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, pp489–492 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7