1 Introduction

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Eastern European countries experienced institutional changes, introducing parliamentary and multi-party systems, with left-wing parties such as the Socialist Party and the Social Democratic Party becoming the main political forces. In recent years, social democratic parties in Central and Eastern Europe have faced development challenges, such as reduced seats and loss of governance, particularly evident in the Czech Social Democratic Party and the Slovak Direction Party. The domestic academic community has begun to pay attention to the development of left-wing political parties, while foreign scholars are concerned about the relationship between the decline of social democracy and the rise of populism. This article will analyze the development difficulties and prospects of the Czech Social Democratic Party and the Slovak Direction Party.

The transformation and development of the Czech Social Democratic Party and the Slovak Direction Party after the end of the Cold War

The Czech Social Democratic Party originated in 1848 and was the main ruling party in Czechoslovakia. It resumed activities after 1989 and was renamed the Czech Social Democratic Party in 1993. The Slovak Direction Party was founded by Robert Fizo, a former member of the Czechoslovak Communist Party, in 1999 and is the backbone of the Slovak left-wing political party. From the 1990s to the 2010s, the Czech Social Democratic Party and the Slovak Direction Party experienced a "golden age". While social democratic parties were generally in a slump in Central and Eastern Europe, the two parties enjoyed long-term governance. However, since the 2010s, both parties have faced unprecedented development challenges, with election results, poll data, and declining party membership numbers. The Czech Social Democratic Party and the Slovak Direction Party emphasize in their party platforms that they are members of the European Socialist Party and the Socialist International, and adhere to the ideals and fundamental goals of the European Socialist Party and the Socialist International. The Czech Social Democratic Party has shifted from a working-class party to a Western European style modern left-wing party, while the Slovak Direction Party has always downplayed class color, emphasizing the strong position of the state in the economy and its responsibility to protect vulnerable groups. The transformation path of Central and Eastern European Social Democratic Parties is influenced by Western European Social Democratic Parties, but some policy concepts are not completely consistent with Western European Social Democratic Parties.

The current dilemma faced by the Czech Social Democratic Party and the Slovak Direction Party

The Czech Social Democratic Party and the Slovak Direction Party face ideological difficulties, with the former adhering to traditional social democracy and the latter wavering between social democracy and neoliberalism, both of which have failed to effectively respond to the financial crisis. The support rate of the Czech Social Democratic Party has declined since 2010, while the Slovak Direction Party's values are blurred due to populist strategies. The rise of populist parties in Central and Eastern Europe poses a challenge to traditional left-wing parties, as their economic policies attract traditional voters of the Social Democratic Party, which struggles to form a clear advantage in social and cultural policies. There are scandals, internal conflicts, and a lack of charismatic leaders in the party building of the Central and Eastern European Social Democratic Party. The influence of historical heritage on social democratic parties in Central and Eastern Europe, such as negative attitudes towards the socialist era and nationalist sentiment, has limited their development and provided a fertile ground for populist parties.

Measures taken by the Czech Social Democratic Party and the Slovak Direction Party in response to the new situation

The Czech Social Democratic Party and the Slovak Directional Party have adopted the adjustment of organizational structure and development strategy under the new situation of the COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Czech Social Democratic Party has undergone a large-scale personnel adjustment, introducing a younger, more professional, and diversified leadership, and alleviating the financial crisis by selling real estate and streamlining organizational structure. The party also reshapes its image and brings itself closer to the people through enhancing historical identity and touring meetings. The Slovak Direction Party has adopted a protest political strategy, proposing the dismissal of government officials, organizing anti-government protests, and calling for a referendum and early elections. Both parties are seeking to establish a broader political party alliance, with the Czech Social Democratic Party seeking allies within the left-wing spectrum, while the Slovak Direction Party is seeking cooperation with the splintered Democratic Voice Party and right-wing parties.

5 Conclusion

The social democratic parties in Central and Eastern Europe are facing challenges from the rise of populism after multiple crises, and their development difficulties are intensifying. The COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine conflict provide opportunities for left-wing parties. The Czech Social Democratic Party and the Slovak Directional Party are expected to maintain their influence in parliament through adjustment of strategies and cooperation. The diversity and heterogeneity of social democratic parties in Central and Eastern Europe are evident, and the vitality of populism remains strong, but survival pressures persist.