Čunek on same-sex couples: “unviable lifestyle” and an elephant

Senator for KDU-ČSL and former Vsetín mayor Jiří Čunek has said that same-sex couples do not contribute to society’s future and therefore should not receive the same rights as heterosexual ones. He also confirmed that he is staying in the party despite disagreements with its chairman, Jan Grolich.

The politician made the remarks in a podcast, where he admitted that Grolich’s value positions are significantly broader than his own. According to Čunek, Grolich could easily be a mayor for Mayors and Independents or for the Pirates, as he is much more open to liberal views.

An elephant instead of an argument

Čunek reiterated that he will not vote for marriage equality. In his view, the institution is meant for “normal families” made up of a woman, a man and a child, while same-sex couples lead an “unviable” lifestyle.

“I certainly tolerate this way of life, but in my view it should not be constantly highlighted and treated as equal to those who have a marriage and children,” he said. He added that they are welcome to marry, but should not ask anything of the state.

The senator explained his position with an unusual comparison. Addressing the host, he said: you have a smaller nose than I do, yet you would like me to grant you the right to be an elephant. For Čunek, the person he is talking to is a human being, and if that person says he is an elephant, he is free to think so. Everyone can want whatever they like, but society, the politician said, should give only what benefits it.

Differences with Grolich

In the October municipal elections, Čunek failed to defend the post of Vsetín mayor, which he had held five times. Grolich, by contrast, won a Senate seat in the Vyškov district and is already planning the return of the Christian Democrats to government.

The main differences with the party leadership concern social issues, such as marriage equality and gender questions. After his election as chairman in April, Grolich declared that the party had drawn a line under moralizing and meddling in people’s private lives. Čunek objects that party members have simply decided not to talk about these issues.

They also differ in their assessment of Petr Fiala’s previous cabinet, which included ministers from the Christian Democrats. Before the April vote for the KDU-ČSL chairman, Grolich pointed out that his colleague had welcomed the arrival of the new government of ANO, SPD and the Motorists. Čunek defended himself: he is not an ANO voter and was not exactly delighted by Andrej Babiš’s victory, but Fiala, he said, had put too much emphasis on “boundless trust” in the European Union.

Two years ago, Čunek was one of the few representatives of parliamentary parties to attend the Motorists’ congress in Prague. According to him, he was invited and was surprised that other politicians did not come, since it is a new party.

Not planning to leave the party

Earlier this year, Grolich said that the Vsetín mayor was deliberately provoking so that he would be expelled from the party. Čunek himself is not thinking about a break. Asked whether he feels comfortable with the Christian Democrats, he answered yes, because the party has many conservative-minded people, while new people with a different view are now arriving. “Leaving is the last thing,” he stressed.

Čunek is ending his career as mayor but remains a senator for another four years and will be meeting Grolich in parliament. “Perhaps we will understand each other better,” he said.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz