# Populars and Mayors

The Populars and Mayors (Czech: Lidovci a Starostové) was an alliance of Czech political parties, consisting of the Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU-ČSL) and Mayors and Independents. Talks about a possible alliance of the two parties started in 2016, with the intention of participating in the 2017 legislative election, and becoming the "third power" of Czech politics. The alliance was dissolved in July 2017, before the election took place.

## History

The alliance was formed on 18 March 2017, with some leading members suggesting that they could win over 15% of votes. On 12 April 2017, KDU-ČSL leader Pavel Bělobrádek was announced as the alliance's candidate for Prime Minister. The logo and name of the alliance was announced on 15 May 2017.
An electoral alliance of political parties requires 10% of votes to enter the Chamber of Deputies, and following opinion polls showing Populars and Mayors to be under the 10% threshold, some media reported that KDU–ČSL were planning to disband the alliance and offer STAN candidates places on their ballot list. Bělobrádek refused to comment these reports, while Gazdík denied that the parties would end the alliance, stating that if KDU-ČSL disbands the alliance, STAN will participate in the election independently. STAN MEP Stanislav Polčák confirmed the media reports. Sources within KDU-ČSL said that KDU-ČSL were trying to persuade STAN to run on the KDU-ČSL ballot but they were refusing.
On 18 July 2017, the KDU-ČSL leadership met to discuss the matter, and voted to leave the alliance. Bělobrádek called for STAN to run on the KDU-ČSL ballot. Gazdík stated that party would need to discuss the matter. STAN refused the offer on 25 July 2017, ending the cooperation between the two parties.

## Logo

The alliance presented its logo on 15 May 2017. It consists of a triangle formed of four stripes. The four stripes are intended to represent family, municipality, region and state. Petr Gazdík, leader of Mayors and Independents, stated that the triangle represents the idea that decision making should start in families and municipalities in a well-functioning society.
The logo became the target of jokes, with critics highlighting its similarity to the Adidas logo, the Stalin Memorial at Letná, the logo of financial Company OVB, and the symbol indicating a strong Wi-fi signal.

## Footnotes

* ↑ televize, Česká. "Lidovci souhlasí se společnou koalicí, se Starosty půjdou do voleb". ČT24 (in Czech). Retrieved 1 June 2017.
* ↑ "Lidovci těsně schválili koalici se STAN, stejně jako před tím Starostové". iDNES.cz. 18 March 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
* ↑ "Bělobrádek si plácl s Gazdíkem. Lidovci a Starostové půjdou do voleb společně". denikreferendum.cz (in Czech). 12 April 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
* 1 2 "Lidovci a Starostové představili společné logo: Symbolizuje budování společnosti". Parlamentní Listy. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
* ↑ "Česká třetí cesta: Starostové a lidovci chystají spojenectví". Euro.cz (in Czech). 14 November 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
* ↑ nezávislí, Starostové a. "Reflex: STAN jsou pro KDU-ČSL velkou posilou. Tento bonus jim další strany závidí - Starostové a nezávislí". Starostové a nezávislí. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
* ↑ "Lidovci a STAN představili společné logo. Symbolizuje rodinu a budování společnosti". Lidovky.cz. 15 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
* ↑ "Lidovci i Starostové schválili vznik volební koalice". www.ceskenoviny.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 15 May 2017.
* ↑ "Bělobrádek kandidátem na premiéra. Lidovci a Starostové se dohodli na volební koalici". Eurozprávy. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
* ↑ "Zvoní koalici KDU-ČSL a STAN umíráček? Lidovci z ní chtějí vycouvat". iDNES.cz. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
* ↑ "Třetí síla se rozpadá. Plán lidovců odejít z dvojkoalice rozštěpil Starosty". www.seznam.cz. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
* ↑ Vilímová, Tereza (13 July 2017). "Lidovci kvůli průzkumům lavírují. "My koalici nevzdáme," oponuje Gazdík - Echo24.cz". Echo24.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 13 July 2017.
* ↑ "Koalice KDU-ČSL a Starostů míří ke konci, lidovci od ní couvají". Lidovky.cz. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
* ↑ "Volební dvojkoalice KDU-ČSL a Starostů se hroutí". Novinky.cz (in Czech). 18 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
* ↑ "Konec koalice. Lidovci nabídli Starostům místa na svých kandidátkách". iDNES.cz. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
* ↑ "Hnuti STAN odmítlo nabídku lidovců. Do voleb půjde nakonec samo". iDNES.cz. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
* ↑ "Lidovci a Starostové mají nové logo". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 18 May 2017.
* ↑ "Lidovci a STAN představili společné logo. Symbolizuje rodinu a budování společnosti | Domov". Lidovky.cz. 15 May 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
* ↑ "Adidas, Stalinův pomník nebo telefonní signál? Lidovci si nové logo chválí - Echo24.cz". Echo24 (in Czech). 18 May 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017.