[17] In June 2009, Radek John was recruited as its chairman,[16] and it emerged in late 2009 as a contender in the 2010 election, polling above the 5% threshold to win seats, and occasionally above KDU-ČSL and the Green Party.

[20] Vít Bárta was accused by the State Prosecution of bribery and Jaroslav Škárka of receiving a bribe.

[20] After Nečas's government collapsed, some members of Public Affairs split to form another party, LIDEM, hoping to continue their coalition with ODS and TOP 09, with Miroslava Němcová as Prime Minister.

However, President Miloš Zeman refused and instead appointed Jiří Rusnok a caretaker Prime Minister.

On 3 September 2013, Bárta announced that Public Affairs would not be standing in the October 2013 legislative election, leading to a split in the party's leadership.