Czech legislative election, 2010
Encyclopedia
A legislative election in the Czech Republic
took place on 28–29 May 2010. The election had been expected to take place some time before the end of 2009 (originally set for 9–10 October 2009, see below) to elect the members of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic
. Before the election, the country had been governed by a caretaker administration.
The election saw a loss of support for the Social Democratic Party
(ČSSD), although they still received the highest number of votes. The conservative Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and TOP 09 followed in second and third, while the Communist Party
finished fourth. Social Democrat leader Jiří Paroubek
resigned after the election, conceding that a conservative coalition government appeared likely, with the rise of two new right-wing parties—TOP 09 and Public Affairs
. In June, centre-right coalition of Civic Democratic Party, TOP 09, and Public Affairs
was formed, with Petr Nečas
becoming the prime minister.
had lost a no-confidence vote on 24 March 2009. After four failed earlier attempts, the opposition Social Democrats
succeeded in leading the lower house of the Czech parliament
to a no confidence vote in Topolánek's government. The measure passed with 101 votes to 96, largely due to several members of Topolánek's own party voting with the opposition.
On 28 March 2009, Jiří Paroubek
(the Social Democrat leader) and Topolánek agreed to hold early polls in October 2009. They later agreed to form an interim government of experts (before the end of the Czech EU presidency
), with half nominated by the Social Democrats and half by two parties of the current government (Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and Greens
; the third party KDU–ČSL did not participate), and that early elections would be held on 16–17 October 2009. On 5 April 2009, Paroubek and Topolánek agreed on Jan Fischer, the head of the national statistical office, as interim PM who would take over on 8 May 2009, and stated that elections would be held by 15 October 2009, most likely on 9–10 October 2009.
The newly founded party Tradition Responsibility Prosperity 09
, which split off from the KDU–ČSL, also contested the election. In some polls, it was already in fourth place, closely behind the KSČM
.
The election date was originally officially set on 1 July 2009. Due to a complaint filed by independent ex-Social Democrat MP Miloš Melčák (he filed because he claimed he has the right to sit in parliament for a full term), the election was postponed as the Constitutional Court examined the legality of the law setting the election date. A hearing was set for 10 September 2009; if the court had ruled at that date against the complaint, elections would have been held as planned. In either case, politicians were in agreement that they would have changed the constitution to simplify the procedure of calling early elections, and using the new provisions, the election would have been held at most with a month's delay regardless of the court's decision (likely on 6–7 November).
The Court viewed the Constitutional Act calling for one off early elections as an individual retroactive decision in violation of then-effective constitutional procedure regulating early election, and abolished the act on the basis of its violating the procedure for constitutional amendment, the right to vote, and the unalienable principle of a law-abiding state.
As the Court ruled the election date invalid, the laws (a constitutional amendment and a law shortening election deadlines) were passed on 11 September as planned. President Klaus signed the laws on 12 September, and parliament planned to dissolve itself on 15 September. Melčák stated, however, that he would likely file another complaint if this plan had gone ahead.
In a surprise move, the Social Democrats announced on 15 September that it would not vote in favour of dissolution, as the new law was likely to be challenged by Melčák again and this would again call the legality of the election into question; they were now in favour of elections in mid-2010, on the initially scheduled date. The Social Democrats had 71 seats and needed ten more MPs supporting their position to delay the election, but it was considered likely that they would succeed in blocking the election. The Christian and Democratic Union (KDU-ČSL) also withdrew their support for early elections, meaning the election will be held in May 2010.
Following controversial comments about the Catholic Church, Jews and gays, the Civic Democrat chairman Topolánek withdrew from the election and resigned as party leader on 26 March 2010. He was replaced by Petr Nečas
.
won the most votes, with 22.1%. The conservative Civic Democratic Party and TOP 09 followed with 20.2% and 16.7% respectively. The Communist Party
came fourth with 11.3%, slightly ahead of the centre-right Public Affairs
which received 10.9%. It was the first time that the Communists had failed to finish third in a Czech election. For TOP 09 and Public Affairs, it was the first election in which they had won seats in Parliament. The Christian Democrats (4.4%), the Party of Civic Rights
(4.3%) and the Green Party
(2.4%), along with Sovereignty
(3.7%), failed to gain the 5% necessary to enter parliament. 62.6% of voters turned out. The turnout was highest in Prague-West District
(71.69%) and lowest in Sokolov District
(50.89%). The results were a setback for the Czech Republic's largest parties, the Social Democrats and the Civic Democrats. President Václav Klaus
argued the results would cause a "fundamental weakening" of the two parties.
resigned as the Social Democrat leader citing disappointment with the outcome, saying of the result "It seems that people have chosen the direction the republic should go in and it is a different direction than the one the Social Democrats were offering". The Social Democrats had led comfortably in polling before the election, and its 22% share of the vote was a significant drop from the party's 32% in the 2006 election
. Paroubek conceded that a conservative coalition government was possible. The Civic Democrats, TOP 09 and Public Affairs had each committed to government spending cuts, raising the prospect of the formation of a fiscally conservative Cabinet. The leaders of the three parties held coalition talks shortly after the results were released. Petr Nečas, the head of the Civic Democrats, claimed the three parties had a "common will" to join in government, stating that their financial plans would work together to help the country avoid going into a similar crisis to the one Greece suffered at the same time.
After extensive talks regarding the terms of the coalition, Nečas was appointed PM on 28 June 2010.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
took place on 28–29 May 2010. The election had been expected to take place some time before the end of 2009 (originally set for 9–10 October 2009, see below) to elect the members of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic
Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic
The Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic is the lower house of the bicameral Parliament of the Czech Republic. The seat of the Chamber of Deputies is situated in palaces in Malá Strana, Prague....
. Before the election, the country had been governed by a caretaker administration.
The election saw a loss of support for the Social Democratic Party
CSSD
CSSD may refer to:*Central School of Speech and Drama * Central Sterile Supply Department *Cloneproof Schwartz Sequential Dropping...
(ČSSD), although they still received the highest number of votes. The conservative Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and TOP 09 followed in second and third, while the Communist Party
Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia
The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia , abbreviated to KSČM, is a political party in the Czech Republic. It has a membership of 82,994 and is a member party of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left bloc in the European Parliament...
finished fourth. Social Democrat leader Jiří Paroubek
Jirí Paroubek
Jiří Paroubek is a Czech politician, who served as the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic from 25 April 2005 to 16 August 2006. He was also Chairman of the Czech Social Democratic Party , but resigned from his position immediately after the result of the 2010 Legislative Election was announced...
resigned after the election, conceding that a conservative coalition government appeared likely, with the rise of two new right-wing parties—TOP 09 and Public Affairs
Public Affairs (political party)
Public Affairs , abbreviated to VV, is a conservative liberal political party in the Czech Republic. Led by anti-establishment investigative journalist and writer Radek John, its main platform is transparency and opposing political corruption. It has 24 seats in the Chamber of Deputies.Besides...
. In June, centre-right coalition of Civic Democratic Party, TOP 09, and Public Affairs
Public Affairs (political party)
Public Affairs , abbreviated to VV, is a conservative liberal political party in the Czech Republic. Led by anti-establishment investigative journalist and writer Radek John, its main platform is transparency and opposing political corruption. It has 24 seats in the Chamber of Deputies.Besides...
was formed, with Petr Nečas
Petr Necas
Petr Nečas is the current Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and Leader of the Civic Democratic Party. He was sworn into office on 28 June 2010....
becoming the prime minister.
Background
Incumbent PM Mirek TopolánekMirek Topolánek
Mirek Topolánek is a former prime minister of the Czech Republic and former President of the European Council. A member of the Civic Democratic Party, he was chairman of the center-right party between November 2002 and March 2010, succeeding Václav Klaus, who was elected President in 2003.On 24...
had lost a no-confidence vote on 24 March 2009. After four failed earlier attempts, the opposition Social Democrats
CSSD
CSSD may refer to:*Central School of Speech and Drama * Central Sterile Supply Department *Cloneproof Schwartz Sequential Dropping...
succeeded in leading the lower house of the Czech parliament
Parliament of the Czech Republic
The Parliament of the Czech Republic is the legislative body of the Czech Republic, based in Prague. It consists of two chambers, both elected in direct elections:* the Lower House: Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic...
to a no confidence vote in Topolánek's government. The measure passed with 101 votes to 96, largely due to several members of Topolánek's own party voting with the opposition.
On 28 March 2009, Jiří Paroubek
Jirí Paroubek
Jiří Paroubek is a Czech politician, who served as the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic from 25 April 2005 to 16 August 2006. He was also Chairman of the Czech Social Democratic Party , but resigned from his position immediately after the result of the 2010 Legislative Election was announced...
(the Social Democrat leader) and Topolánek agreed to hold early polls in October 2009. They later agreed to form an interim government of experts (before the end of the Czech EU presidency
Presidency of the Council of the European Union
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union is the responsibility for the functioning of the Council of the European Union that rotates between the member states of the European Union every six months. The presidency is not a single president but rather the task is undertaken by a national...
), with half nominated by the Social Democrats and half by two parties of the current government (Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and Greens
Green Party (Czech Republic)
The Green Party is a political party in the Czech Republic.The party was founded in February 1990 but for a long time it struggled to obtain significant influence in Czech politics. In the 2002 legislative election the party received 2.4% of the vote...
; the third party KDU–ČSL did not participate), and that early elections would be held on 16–17 October 2009. On 5 April 2009, Paroubek and Topolánek agreed on Jan Fischer, the head of the national statistical office, as interim PM who would take over on 8 May 2009, and stated that elections would be held by 15 October 2009, most likely on 9–10 October 2009.
The newly founded party Tradition Responsibility Prosperity 09
Tradition Responsibility Prosperity 09
TOP 09 is a fiscally conservative political party in the Czech Republic, led by Karel Schwarzenberg and noted for its support of the free market and the European Union, and condemnation of populism...
, which split off from the KDU–ČSL, also contested the election. In some polls, it was already in fourth place, closely behind the KSČM
KSCM
KSCM may refer to:*KSCM-LP, a low-power television station licensed to Bryan, Texas, United States*Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia, known in Czech as "Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy"...
.
The election date was originally officially set on 1 July 2009. Due to a complaint filed by independent ex-Social Democrat MP Miloš Melčák (he filed because he claimed he has the right to sit in parliament for a full term), the election was postponed as the Constitutional Court examined the legality of the law setting the election date. A hearing was set for 10 September 2009; if the court had ruled at that date against the complaint, elections would have been held as planned. In either case, politicians were in agreement that they would have changed the constitution to simplify the procedure of calling early elections, and using the new provisions, the election would have been held at most with a month's delay regardless of the court's decision (likely on 6–7 November).
The Court viewed the Constitutional Act calling for one off early elections as an individual retroactive decision in violation of then-effective constitutional procedure regulating early election, and abolished the act on the basis of its violating the procedure for constitutional amendment, the right to vote, and the unalienable principle of a law-abiding state.
As the Court ruled the election date invalid, the laws (a constitutional amendment and a law shortening election deadlines) were passed on 11 September as planned. President Klaus signed the laws on 12 September, and parliament planned to dissolve itself on 15 September. Melčák stated, however, that he would likely file another complaint if this plan had gone ahead.
In a surprise move, the Social Democrats announced on 15 September that it would not vote in favour of dissolution, as the new law was likely to be challenged by Melčák again and this would again call the legality of the election into question; they were now in favour of elections in mid-2010, on the initially scheduled date. The Social Democrats had 71 seats and needed ten more MPs supporting their position to delay the election, but it was considered likely that they would succeed in blocking the election. The Christian and Democratic Union (KDU-ČSL) also withdrew their support for early elections, meaning the election will be held in May 2010.
Following controversial comments about the Catholic Church, Jews and gays, the Civic Democrat chairman Topolánek withdrew from the election and resigned as party leader on 26 March 2010. He was replaced by Petr Nečas
Petr Necas
Petr Nečas is the current Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and Leader of the Civic Democratic Party. He was sworn into office on 28 June 2010....
.
Results
With 99% of votes counted, the centre-left Social DemocratsCzech Social Democratic Party
The Czech Social Democratic Party is a social-democratic political party in the Czech Republic.-History:The Social Democratic Czechoslavonic party in Austria was founded on 7 April 1878 in Austria-Hungary representing the Kingdom of Bohemia in the Austrian parliament...
won the most votes, with 22.1%. The conservative Civic Democratic Party and TOP 09 followed with 20.2% and 16.7% respectively. The Communist Party
Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia
The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia , abbreviated to KSČM, is a political party in the Czech Republic. It has a membership of 82,994 and is a member party of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left bloc in the European Parliament...
came fourth with 11.3%, slightly ahead of the centre-right Public Affairs
Public Affairs (political party)
Public Affairs , abbreviated to VV, is a conservative liberal political party in the Czech Republic. Led by anti-establishment investigative journalist and writer Radek John, its main platform is transparency and opposing political corruption. It has 24 seats in the Chamber of Deputies.Besides...
which received 10.9%. It was the first time that the Communists had failed to finish third in a Czech election. For TOP 09 and Public Affairs, it was the first election in which they had won seats in Parliament. The Christian Democrats (4.4%), the Party of Civic Rights
Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci
The Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci is a social democratic political party in the Czech Republic founded in October 2009 by Miloš Zeman, a former prime minister and the former leader of the Czech Social Democratic Party....
(4.3%) and the Green Party
Green Party (Czech Republic)
The Green Party is a political party in the Czech Republic.The party was founded in February 1990 but for a long time it struggled to obtain significant influence in Czech politics. In the 2002 legislative election the party received 2.4% of the vote...
(2.4%), along with Sovereignty
Sovereignty – Jana Bobošíková Bloc
Sovereignty – Jana Bobošíková Bloc is an electoral alliance in the Czech Republic between the Party of Common Sense and Politika 21. It takes its name from the conservative and Eurosceptic former MEP Jana Bobošíková....
(3.7%), failed to gain the 5% necessary to enter parliament. 62.6% of voters turned out. The turnout was highest in Prague-West District
Prague-West District
The District of Prague-West is a district in the Central Bohemian Region , Czech Republic...
(71.69%) and lowest in Sokolov District
Sokolov District
Sokolov District is a district within Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic. Its capital is the town of Sokolov.-Complete list of towns and villages:Březová -Bublava -Bukovany -Citice -...
(50.89%). The results were a setback for the Czech Republic's largest parties, the Social Democrats and the Civic Democrats. President Václav Klaus
Václav Klaus
Václav Klaus is the second President of the Czech Republic and a former Prime Minister .An economist, he is co-founder of the Civic Democratic Party, the Czech Republic's largest center-right political party. Klaus is a eurosceptic, but he reluctantly endorsed the Lisbon treaty as president of...
argued the results would cause a "fundamental weakening" of the two parties.
Results for regions
Prague
| Parties and coalitions | Votes | % | Seats | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOP 09 | 173,840 | 27.27 | 8 | ||
| Civic Democratic Party | 158,014 | 24.79 | 8 | ||
| Czech Social Democratic Party Czech Social Democratic Party The Czech Social Democratic Party is a social-democratic political party in the Czech Republic.-History:The Social Democratic Czechoslavonic party in Austria was founded on 7 April 1878 in Austria-Hungary representing the Kingdom of Bohemia in the Austrian parliament... |
96,706 | 15.17 | 4 | ||
| Public Affairs Public Affairs (political party) Public Affairs , abbreviated to VV, is a conservative liberal political party in the Czech Republic. Led by anti-establishment investigative journalist and writer Radek John, its main platform is transparency and opposing political corruption. It has 24 seats in the Chamber of Deputies.Besides... |
65,742 | 10.31 | 3 | ||
| Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia , abbreviated to KSČM, is a political party in the Czech Republic. It has a membership of 82,994 and is a member party of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left bloc in the European Parliament... |
41,647 | 6,53 | 2 | ||
| Green Party Green Party (Czech Republic) The Green Party is a political party in the Czech Republic.The party was founded in February 1990 but for a long time it struggled to obtain significant influence in Czech politics. In the 2002 legislative election the party received 2.4% of the vote... |
30,528 | 4.78 | 0 | ||
| Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci The Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci is a social democratic political party in the Czech Republic founded in October 2009 by Miloš Zeman, a former prime minister and the former leader of the Czech Social Democratic Party.... |
19,851 | 3.11 | 0 | ||
| Total (turnout 68.0%) | 637,328 | 25 | |||
Prague
| Parties and coalitions | Votes | % | Seats | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civic Democratic Party | 150,456 | 23.87 | 7 | ||
| Czech Social Democratic Party Czech Social Democratic Party The Czech Social Democratic Party is a social-democratic political party in the Czech Republic.-History:The Social Democratic Czechoslavonic party in Austria was founded on 7 April 1878 in Austria-Hungary representing the Kingdom of Bohemia in the Austrian parliament... |
129,368 | 20.52 | 6 | ||
| TOP 09 | 110,865 | 17.59 | 5 | ||
| Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia , abbreviated to KSČM, is a political party in the Czech Republic. It has a membership of 82,994 and is a member party of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left bloc in the European Parliament... |
69 368 | 11.00 | 3 | ||
| Public Affairs Public Affairs (political party) Public Affairs , abbreviated to VV, is a conservative liberal political party in the Czech Republic. Led by anti-establishment investigative journalist and writer Radek John, its main platform is transparency and opposing political corruption. It has 24 seats in the Chamber of Deputies.Besides... |
67,601 | 10.72 | 3 | ||
| Sovereignty – Jana Bobošíková Bloc Sovereignty – Jana Bobošíková Bloc Sovereignty – Jana Bobošíková Bloc is an electoral alliance in the Czech Republic between the Party of Common Sense and Politika 21. It takes its name from the conservative and Eurosceptic former MEP Jana Bobošíková.... |
27,430 | 4.35 | 0 | ||
| Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci The Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci is a social democratic political party in the Czech Republic founded in October 2009 by Miloš Zeman, a former prime minister and the former leader of the Czech Social Democratic Party.... |
23,235 | 3.68 | 0 | ||
| Total (turnout 64.3%) | 633,741 | 24 | |||
Aftermath
After the election results became known, Jiří ParoubekJirí Paroubek
Jiří Paroubek is a Czech politician, who served as the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic from 25 April 2005 to 16 August 2006. He was also Chairman of the Czech Social Democratic Party , but resigned from his position immediately after the result of the 2010 Legislative Election was announced...
resigned as the Social Democrat leader citing disappointment with the outcome, saying of the result "It seems that people have chosen the direction the republic should go in and it is a different direction than the one the Social Democrats were offering". The Social Democrats had led comfortably in polling before the election, and its 22% share of the vote was a significant drop from the party's 32% in the 2006 election
Czech legislative election, 2006
Parliamentary elections were held in the Czech Republic on 2 and 3 June 2006.The pre-election campaign was fierce and mostly negative. A major scandal broke out few days before the election. The two largest parties had profited from the divisive campaign – both had obtained the highest percentage...
. Paroubek conceded that a conservative coalition government was possible. The Civic Democrats, TOP 09 and Public Affairs had each committed to government spending cuts, raising the prospect of the formation of a fiscally conservative Cabinet. The leaders of the three parties held coalition talks shortly after the results were released. Petr Nečas, the head of the Civic Democrats, claimed the three parties had a "common will" to join in government, stating that their financial plans would work together to help the country avoid going into a similar crisis to the one Greece suffered at the same time.
After extensive talks regarding the terms of the coalition, Nečas was appointed PM on 28 June 2010.
External links
- Official election website of the Czech Statistical Office
- NSD: European Election Database – Czech Republic publishes regional level election data (NUTS 1–3); allows for comparisons of election results, 1990–2010