Europe

Czech Republic
Last reviewed: 31 March 2009

Country information

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POLITICS

Recent Political Developments

Mirek Topolánek’s conservative Civic Democrats (ODS) narrowly won the June 2006 election but an exact draw between left and right wing blocs in parliament meant that he was unable to form a majority coalition government. After one failed attempt and abortive talks on a power-sharing deal with the Social Democrats, Topolánek eventually proposed a three party coalition between the ODS, the centre-right Christian Democrats and the centrist/environmentalist Greens. Seven months of political negotiations (under three successive interim governments) finally ended when this coalition was confirmed by the Czech parliament on 19 January 2007, after two rebel Social Democrat MP’s left the party and became independents. . A public finance reform package that took effect on 1 January 2008 was only passed after extensive negotiation. Further reforms on pensions, health and social welfare proposed by the Government were also fiercely debated during 2008 and further health reforms are now being delayed. In mid-term regional and Senate elections in October 2008, the opposition CSSD party scored sweeping victories and the ODS lost their absolute majority in the Upper House. The Government continued with this thinnest of majorities until it was defeated in the vote of no confidence on 26 March 2009, the fifth to be called by the Social Democrat and Communist opposition.

President Vaclav Havel’s 13 years as President came to an end on 2 February 2003. Vaclav Klaus, a former Prime Minister, was first elected President by parliament on 28 February 2003 and re-elected for a second and final five year term on 15 February 2008. He is also well-known for his strong and independent views on the European Union, climate change and NGOs. In 2008, President Klaus stood down as a honorary Chairman of the Civic Democratic party.

Elections

The next Presidential election is scheduled for early 2013. The next general election is scheduled for mid-2010. However, in the wake of the government's defeat, early elections are likely, most probably in the autumn of 2009.