Political legacies of communism persist in Central Europe

Discussions regarding the political legacy of communism in Central Europe highlight a perceived failure to establish a robust rule of law following the 1989 revolutions. In Slovakia, Jan Urban argues that the failure to punish totalitarian-era officials and the prioritization of legal continuity over justice allowed a totalitarian foundation to persist within modern political systems.

In the Czech Republic, the village of Moravská Pustiměř serves as a notable case study of communist political endurance. The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM) has maintained seats in the local municipal council for 36 consecutive years, winning every local election held since 1990. While the party's influence has fluctuated, with its share of the vote dropping to 8 percent in 2022, it remains a consistent presence in the local government.