Between Atheism and Catholicism: Czech Religious Scepticism is a Political Problem. The Country, However, Bears Great Potential to Overcome Its Religious Crisis (Domestic Affairs in the CR‪)‬

On the 26th of September 2009, the most atheist country in Europe will greet the leader of the Catholic Church. The religious and political authorities in the Czech Republic are therefore discussing lingering issues between the Vatican and the Czech state. As a result, the present political and particular spiritual conditions in the country could lead the Czech Republic to reassess its stance towards the Catholic Church. Unlike in the United States, where Christian values are a strong component of the Conservative right which calls for market deregulation and a smaller government, in continental politics it is the Catholic Church and affiliated parties which promote social programs based on increased governmental involvement. For example, in Germany, the Social and Christian democratic parties make up the country's centre-left governing coalition. In the Czech Republic, the current Christian Democratic Union (KDU) follows a tradition in which Czech Christian parties have associated themselves with left and centre-left politics.