Freedom and Direct Democracy

Freedom and Direct Democracy (, SPD) is a right-wing populist political party in the Czech Republic. It is led by Tomio Okamura and it holds 20 seats in the Chamber of Deputies. It has been described as right-wing or far-right on the political spectrum. It expresses opposition to immigration and it is staunchly Eurosceptic, while in their political program they state their support for direct democracy. At the end of 2022 the party had 10,682 members and is the fastest growing party in the country in terms of members. History The party was founded in May 2015 by Tomio Okamura and Radim Fiala when eight Members of Parliament split from the Dawn of Direct Democracy parliamentary group. As the party was newly-formed in that parliamentary term, these MPs sat as independents until the 2017 Czech legislative election. Following that election, the party now holds 22 seats in the Czech Chamber of Deputies. Freedom and Direct Democracy is named after the European Parliament Eurosceptic political group Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy. The party has links with Marine Le Pen's National Front which is a member of the Europe of Nations and Freedom, a separate Eurosceptic political group in the European Parliament and Marine Le Pen endorsed SPD before the 2017 Czech legislative election.