Michal Horáček
Czech writer and businessman (born 1952)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michal Horáček (born 23 July 1952) is a Czech entrepreneur, lyricist, poet, writer, journalist and music producer. From 2007 until 2010, he was the chairman of the Czech Academy of Popular Music.[2][3] He founded Czech betting company Fortuna.[4] He stood to become Czech president in the 2018 presidential election, but came in 4th in the first round, failing to advance.
Michal Horáček | |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 July 1952 |
| Party | Independent |
| Spouses | Rut Horáčková (m. 1976–2010)Michaela Hořejši (m. 2012) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Jaroslav Heyrovský (great-uncle) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | michalhoracek.cz |
2018 presidential election
In April 2016, Horáček announced his possible candidacy in the 2018 Czech presidential election.[5] Horáček announced his candidacy on 7 October 2016.[6] He officially launched his campaign on 3 November 2016.[7] He said that he wanted his campaign to be based on respect for all people and their opinions.[8]
Horáček announced his advisers on 9 February 2017, including former Slovak presidential candidate Magdaléna Vášáryová, nuclear energy safety expert Dana Drábová, and surgeon Pavel Pafko.[9] On 16 April 2017, Horáček started gathering the 50,000 signatures required for participation in the election.[10] On 6 May he reported that he had gathered the required number of signatures.[11] Horáček finished fourth of the nine candidates, with 9.18% of the vote.[12] Horáček then endorsed Jiří Drahoš for the second round.[13] Radim Procházka and Robin Kvapil released a documentary film in 2018 about Horaček's run for presidency, entitled We Can Do Better.[14]
Political views
Horáček once said that "left-wing thinking isn't thinking",[15] but later said that he had changed his mind and started to consider it more seriously.[16] He describes himself as neither left-wing nor right-wing,[17] but his platform for the 2018 presidential election was described by political scientists as left-wing.[18] He supports European Union membership but would not oppose a referendum about leaving it.[19][20]
Horáček stated in July 2016 that opposing immigration was "like opposing rain", and added that Czechs have historically helped immigrants.[21][22] He has expressed opposition to migration quotas and to accepting large numbers of refugees, saying that the Czech Republic should not accept immigrants that Czechs do not want to accept.[23][24]
Personal life
Horáček is a Roman Catholic.[25] His great-uncle Jaroslav Heyrovský, a chemist and inventor, became the first Czech recipient of the Nobel Prize in 1959.[26]
Discography
- Studio albums
- 1987: Potměšilý host with Hana Hegerová & Petr Hapka
- 1988: V penziónu Svět with Petr Hapka
- 1996: Citová investice with Petr Hapka
- 2000: Richard Müller a hosté with Richard Müller & Jan Saudek
- 2001: Mohlo by tu být i líp with Petr Hapka
- 2003: Tak to chodí with Jarda Svoboda
- 2006: Strážce plamene with Petr Hapka
- 2008: Ohrožený druh
- 2009: Kudykam with Petr Hapka
- 2011: Tante Cose da Veder with Petr Hapka & Ondřej Brzobohatý
- 2012: O lásce, cti a kuráži
- 2012: Michal Horáček Tribute
- 2013: Český kalendář
Bibliography
- 1983: Království za koně, Olympia
- 1984: Zpráva z Kentucky, Turf klub SSM
- 1990: Jak pukaly ledy, Ex libris
- 1996: Los a sázka, Fortuna
- 2002: Kdo víc vsadí, ten víc bere with Ladislav Verecký, Nakladatelství Lidové noviny
- 2004: O české krvi otců vlasti, Nakladatelství Lidové noviny
- 2007: O tajemství královny krav, Nakladatelství Lidové noviny
- 2009: Kudykam, Nakladatelství Lidové noviny
- 2012: Český kalendář, Nakladatelství Lidové noviny
- 2012: Habitus hazardního hráče, Nakladatelství Lidové noviny
Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Awards of World Press Institute | Won[2] |
