Political continuity and transitional justice in Central Europe

The political landscape in Central Europe has been shaped by the presence of individuals associated with former communist regimes. In the Czech Republic, many figures who held high-ranking positions after the 1989 revolution, including former President Miloš Zeman and former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, were members of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (KSČ) or related organizations.

Historically, liberal intellectuals in countries like Poland, Czechia, and Slovakia advocated for moderation and warned against 'witch hunts' or aggressive transitional justice during the early 1990s. They emphasized inclusion to maintain democratic stability.

However, recent political trends show a shift. In Poland, Donald Tusk has compared his mission to post-war tribunals, while in Hungary, Peter Magyar has referred to his political plans as 'Operation Purgatory,' drawing parallels to organized crime trials. This represents a move toward prioritizing transitional justice to dismantle non-liberal democratic structures.