Wikipedia

Jindřich Rajchl

Jindřich Rajchl (born 27 September 1976) is a Czech political activist, lawyer and former football ambassador. He gained a public profile as a leader of demonstrations against measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic, and subsequently also against the government of Petr Fiala. He is widely considered to be a participant in the spread of misinformation in the Czech Republic.

Jindřich Rajchl
Chairman of Law, Respect, Expertise
Incumbent
Assumed office
18 June 2022
Preceded byPosition established
Personal details
Born (1976-09-27) 27 September 1976 (age 48)
Hradec Králové, Czechoslovakia
Political partyLaw, Respect, Expertise (2022–present)
Other political
affiliations		Tricolour Citizens' Movement (until 2022)
ChildrenThree daughters
Alma materCharles University

Early life and career

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Rajchl graduated from the Faculty of Law of Charles University in Prague.[1] He was brought into football[clarification needed] by František Chvalovský, executive director of the Czech club FK Chmel Blšany (2002-2005).[2][3][4] Rajchl was associated[clarification needed] with FK Dukla Prague, then became vice-chairman of the Football Association of the Czech Republic (FAČR).[5]

In 2011, Rajchl attempted unsuccessfully to become chairman of FAČR, failing to gain the support of Roman Berbr [cs], according to news server Aktuálně.cz [cs]. He was also linked to another football ambassador, Ivan Hašek.[6][7]

Between 2011 and 2012, Rajchl was a member of the board of directors of SAZKA, [8] following the company's bankruptcy and the sale of its betting business.[9]

Rajchl worked as a director of the gambling company Bwin for the Czech Republic and Slovakia.[10][11] However, the company closed the office in the former country during his tenure.[12] He also operates two restaurants in Prague.[13]

Political career

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As an activist, Rajchl spoke at multiple demonstrations against measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic and Russo–Ukrainian war.[14]

Rajchl was a member of the Tricolour Citizens' Movement and ran to become a candidate in the 2018 Czech presidential elections,[15] but suspended his bid before the election. At the party assembly in January 2022, he withdrew his candidacy to become party chair, with Zuzana Majerová re-elected instead.[16]

Rajchl has been a key figure in demonstrations against the Cabinet of Petr Fiala.[17] He is widely considered to be a participant in the spread of misinformation in the Czech Republic,[18][19] including the COVID-19 pandemic.[20]

In June 2022, Rajchl founded a new party, Law, Respect, Expertise (PRO), serving as its founding chair.[21] The party is perceived by some critics as having a pro-Kremlin orientation. The PRO-supported candidate in the 2022 Czech Senate election was also endorsed by outgoing senator Jaroslav Doubrava [cs], an open supporter of Vladimir Putin.[22]

On 3 September 2022, Rajchl took part in an anti-government demonstration attended by 70,000 people. Several politicians, including Prime Minister Petr Fiala, characterised the protest as a "pro-Russian initiative".[23] On 11 March 2023, Rajchl called a demonstration, "Czech Republic against poverty", during which protesters attempted to remove the Ukrainian flag flying outside the National Museum, where supporters of Ukraine had gathered. According to journalist Martin Bartkovský, a long-time analyst of anti-government demonstrations, this demonstrated the anti-Ukrainian focus of the event.[24]

In June 2023, Seznam Zprávy included Rajchl on a list of people who make money by spreading fear and manipulation.[25] He repeatedly predicted that a litre of fuel would cost up to CZK 150.[26] Rajchl also reported the end of the company Kofola, which was in fact doing well.[27] He later discussed this issue with Czech citizens, but Seznam Zprávy reported that the number of participants in these discussions had been overstated.[28]

Rajchl also joined a protest by farmers in February 2024. Some farmers distanced themselves from Rajchl, and ended the protest early due to his participation.[29] During the protest, it was reported that Rajchl physically threatened a young man who expressed disagreement with him.[30]

Rajchl was announced as the lead candidate for the PRO list in the 2024 European Parliament elections.[31]

References

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  1. ^ "Jindřich Rajchl". Rádio Universum (in Czech). 10 October 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  2. ^ Bílek, Petr (8 July 2004). "Rajchl: šéf, který se v Blšanech i ožení". Mladá fronta Dnes (in Czech). Prague: Mafra. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  3. ^ "Ďáblův advokát dráždí věkem. Rajchl vyrostl ve stínu Chvalovského". Blesk (in Czech). 15 September 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  4. ^ Koukal, Josef (2 January 2013). "Bez trestů díky amnestii skončí i Chvalovský, Pomeje či Trpišovský". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Borgis. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  5. ^ Dlouhý, Hynek (16 September 2021). "Blšanský Rajchl šéfem není. Zatím?". Deník (in Czech). Prague: Vltava Labe Media. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Poraženému Rajchlovi volal Ivan Hašek: Jindro, je to v háji". Blesk (in Czech). 17 November 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Jindřich Rajchl". Aktuálně.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  8. ^ "Veřejný rejstřík a Sbírka listin | Úplný výpis z obchodního rejstříku". or.justice.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Nové vedení Sazky se připojí k Pentě a České spořitelně. Chce také zrušit prodej společnosti". Hospodářské noviny (in Czech). 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  10. ^ Hašek, Martin (8 February 2012). "Nový šéf ČSTV Miroslav Jansta: Z rozpočtu budeme žádat 4 miliardy". Blesk (in Czech). Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  11. ^ Kalouš, Pavel (29 June 2009). "Chvalovského rady? Rajchl by je bral". Lidové noviny (in Czech). Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  12. ^ Kütner, Dušan (5 March 2014). "Sázkařská firma Bwin v tichosti zavřela v Česku kancelář. Míří do USA". E15 (in Czech). Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  13. ^ Koutník, Ondřej (23 September 2021). "Kdo stojí v pozadí Trikolóry? Právník, co se radí s Hrdličkou". Seznam Zprávy (in Czech). Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  14. ^ Řiha, Matěj; Kotalík, Jakub (23 March 2021). "Nasaďte si roušku! Většina lidí policisty poslechne". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Borgis. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  15. ^ Soukup, Jaroslav (28 December 2021). "Neúspěšnou Trikolóru chce vést právník Rajchl". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Borgis. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Rozpad Trikolóry? Volba předsedy přinesla nečekaný zvrat". Regionální Noviny (in Czech). 29 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  17. ^ "Napříč Českem protestovali odpůrci v očkování. Demonstrace byly bez větších incidentů". Czech Radio (in Czech). 8 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  18. ^ Janouš, Václav; Sloupová, Miroslava (16 April 2023). "Sdílí propagandu a mluví chytře. Rajchl čeká na demonstraci 300 tisíc lidí". Mladá fronta Dnes (in Czech). Prague: Mafra.
  19. ^ Kopecká, Jana (13 April 2023). "Karlovarská knihovna byla dějištěm protivládní agitky PRO. Hřímal na ní Rajchl". Deník (in Czech). Prague: Vltava Labe Media. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  20. ^ Krupka, Jaroslav (30 December 2021). "Očkování zabíjí sportovce, spekulují antivaxeři. Ničím to ale nedokládají". Deník (in Czech). Prague: Vltave Labe Media. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  21. ^ "Nová politická strana PRO chce zlevnit energie a obnovit důvěru v právo". České Noviny (in Czech). 18 June 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  22. ^ Cemper, Jan (20 August 2022). "Poslední tažení Jaroslava Doubravy a proruská PRO". Manipulátoři (in Czech). Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  23. ^ Ryšavá, First (5 September 2022). "Popírači covidu, dezinformátoři i krajní pravice a levice. Kdo vystupoval na demonstraci proti vládě?". Hospodářské noviny (in Czech). Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  24. ^ Strakatý, Čestmír; Albrechtová, Eva (17 April 2023). "Bartkovský: Rajchl přecenil síly, lidé od něj dávají ruce pryč, demonstrace byla jasně protiukrajinská". Reflex (in Czech). Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  25. ^ Ciroková, Kristina; Valášek, Lukáš (15 June 2023). "Přehled těch, kteří v Česku vydělávají na strachu lidí". Seznam Zprávy (in Czech).
  26. ^ Nowak, Jenny (9 May 2023). "Podivuhodný prorok Rajchl. Žádná jeho katastrofická předpověď se nevyplnila". Forum 24 (in Czech). Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  27. ^ Cemper, Jan (4 September 2023). "Katastrofické prognózy Jindřicha Rajchla. Ani jedna se nevyplnila". Manipulátoři (in Czech). Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  28. ^ Ramboušková, Michaela; Gavenda, Jaroslav; Turek, Michal (19 November 2023). "Mám na výjezdech plno, tvrdil Rajchl. Realita je ale jiná". Seznam Zprávy (in Czech). Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  29. ^ Čemper, Jan (20 February 2024). "Rajchl v nemilosti. Protest kvůli němu skončil dříve". Manipulatori (in Czech).
  30. ^ Skácel, Martin (20 February 2024). "Rajchlova představa demokracie. Fyzicky trestat mladé za jejich názory?". Infopuls (in Czech).
  31. ^ "Koalici PRO povede do eurovoleb Jindřich Rajchl". ČT24 (in Czech). Czech Television. 8 April 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
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