Czechoslovak Traders' Party

{{Infobox political party

| colorcode = {{party color|Czechoslovak Traders' Party}}

|name = Czechoslovak Traders' Party

| native_name = {{langx|cs|Československá živnostensko-obchodnická strana středostavovská}}
{{langx|sk|Československá zivnostensko-obchodnícka strana stredostavovská}}

|logo = Czechoslovak Traders' Party.svg

| leader1_title = Leaders

| leader1_name = {{ill|Rudolf Mlčoch|cs}}
{{ill|Josef Václav Najman|cs}}

| foundation = 1920

| split = National Democracy

| dissolution = 22 November 1938

| merged = Party of National Unity

|wing1_title = Paramilitary wing

|wing1 = Fialová legie

| headquarters = Prague, Czechoslovakia

| newspaper = Reforma
Národní střed

| ideology = Liberalism
Conservatism
Economic nationalism

| position = Centre-right to right-wing

| colours = {{Color box|{{party color|Czechoslovak Traders' Party}}|border=darkgray}} Purple

| country = Czechoslovakia

}}

The Czechoslovak Traders' Party ({{langx|cs|Československá živnostensko-obchodnická strana středostavovská}}, ČŽOS) was a liberal and conservative political party in Czechoslovakia, whose notable leaders were {{ill|Josef Václav Najman|cs}} and {{ill|Rudolf Mlčoch|cs}}.

History

The party was established in 1920 as a split from the National Democratic Party.Vincent E. McHale (1983) Political parties of Europe, Greenwood Press, p153 {{ISBN|0-313-23804-9}} In the first Czechoslovak elections later in the year the ČŽOS won six seats in the Chamber of Deputies and three in the Senate.Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, pp489–492 {{ISBN|978-3-8329-5609-7}} The 1925 elections saw the party increase its parliamentary representation, winning 13 seats in the Chamber and six in the Senate.

In the 1929 elections the ČŽOS was reduced to 12 seats in the Chamber, but retained its six Senate seats. The party was more successful in the 1935 elections, winning 17 seats in the Chamber and eight in the Senate.

In 1938 the party merged into the Party of National Unity following the occupation of the country by Germany and Hungary.

Ideology

The party was established to represent independent retailers and craftsmen. It ran on a right-wing platform, and co-operated with the Republican Party of Farmers and Peasants in Parliament.