Czechoslovak Traders' Party Explained

Czechoslovak Traders' Party
Native Name:cs|Československá živnostensko-obchodnická strana středostavovská
sk|Československá zivnostensko-obchodnícka strana stredostavovská
Leader1 Title:Leaders
Leader1 Name:
Foundation:1920
Split:National Democracy
Dissolution:22 November 1938
Merged:Party of National Unity
Wing1 Title:Paramilitary wing
Wing1:Fialová legie
Headquarters:Prague, Czechoslovakia
Newspaper:Reforma
Národní střed
Ideology:Liberalism
Conservatism
Economic nationalism
Position:Centre-right to right-wing
Colours: Purple
Country:Czechoslovakia

The Czechoslovak Traders' Party (cs|Československá živnostensko-obchodnická strana středostavovská, ČŽOS) was a liberal and conservative political party in Czechoslovakia, whose notable leaders were and .

History

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

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]

Election results

Chamber of Deputies

ElectionLeaderVotes%Seats+/–
1920122,813 (#12)1.98
1925285,928 (#11)4.02 7
1929291,209 (#11)3.9 1
1935448,049 (#9)5.4 5

Senate

ElectionLeaderVotes%Seats+/–
1920107,674 (#11)2.06
1925257,171 (#10)4.2 3
1929274,085 (#11)4.2
1935393,732 (#9)5.4 2

Notes and References

  1. Vincent E. McHale (1983) Political parties of Europe, Greenwood Press, p153
  2. [Dieter Nohlen]