Stanislav Gross
Encyclopedia
Stanislav Gross (ˈstaɲɪslaf ˈɡros; born 30 October 1969 in Prague
) is a Czech lawyer and former politician, member of the Czech Social Democratic Party
(ČSSD). He served as minister of the interior (2000–2004) and as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic (2004–2005).
) as an engine-driver trainee. After the Velvet Revolution
in 1989, he became a member of the Social Democratic party and in 1992 member of the parliament. After studies in law from 1993 to 1999 he obtained an academic title, although under less than normal conditions. His thesis had a mere 33 pages.
. After elections in 2002, Gross continued as interior minister and became deputy prime minister in the government of Vladimír Špidla
.
During his service, several scandals in the police had leaked out: corruption among the highest officials, irregularities in business tenders, and failure to solve serial murders. Gross claimed this is due to a better ability to discover such behaviour within the police force. Gross was also criticized for installing his friends and allies as executives in state-owned companies and for misuse of secret services for political aims.
In spite of these problems, Gross was able to maintain higher popularity than other politicians (its peak was over 70%). His youthful, photogenic appearance, skills in dealing with media and unwillingness to get involved in controversial decisions or discussions helped.
, ČSSD lost badly and the popularity of the party was low; this led to the resignation of Špidla on 26 July. Gross was appointed prime minister on 4 August 2004 and his government was approved on 24 August.
Gross was seen by his party as the last way to regain popularity and better handle future elections. This was proved wrong; in elections for regional assemblies and Senate elections, the Social Democrats failed again.
Gross claimed he would modernise the party on lines similar to those followed by Tony Blair
, but his short time in office and constant involvement with scandals did not give him any time to implement changes. His popularity started to decline, and his involvement in further allegations of nepotism, police corruption, suspicious dealings in state privatisations accelerated the decline.
In September 2005 Gross stepped down from his remaining position of party leader. The reason was growing suspicion about corruption during the privatization of chemical conglomerate Unipetrol
to the Polish PKN Orlen
, involving Gross3.
Media speculation continues. Gross was the subject of an article in Reflex Magazine (issue 36, September 2010) which included doubts regarding his explanation as to how his wealth was created, and which called for an investigation.
1This person was later sentenced for insurance fraud to five years in prison. She claims it is the result of conspiracy http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/index_view.php?id=141524.
2 Radio.cz article documenting the Grosses – including archive of Stanislav Gross related articles http://www.radio.cz/en/article/63673/limit
3 Gross denies all accusations as an absurd conspiracy against him http://zpravy.centrum.cz/domov/clanek.phtml?id=401011.
In September 2007, the economics weekly Euro published information that Gross and his wife bought up to a 31% stake in the energy company Moravia Energo. The value of the stake was estimated to be worth about 300 million CZK
. The journal calculated that the banks would provide at most two-thirds of the sum and the rest was thus paid by Gross. When this information was published Gross refused to provide details to the press on grounds of privacy.
By June 2008 Gross successfully sold his 31% stake for 150 million CZK, his original purchase price was 21 million CZK. The whole deal was very curious and was investigated, but it was quickly found to be a legitimate business deal according to the Czech Police
On 18 March 2008 he failed the bar exam
, but has since passed it and opened a private law practice. Gross was awarded his law degree by the University of West Bohemia
at Plzen. In 2009 this University has been the centre of investigations into allegations of law degrees being awarded after only a few months study. Gross was mentioned during the investigation.
In early 2008 together with his wife Šárka Grossová
, they purchased a $735,000 (or 11 million CZK) Hidden Bay luxury condo in Miami, Florida. (review of public online county records show that the property was purchased in his wife's name only). Mr. Gross and his wife also purchased a small 10 million CZK house in need of major renovations about 1 KM from their apartment in Barrandov
, Prague, Czech Republic (controversy surrounding the purchase of that apartment was one of the key factors in his stepping down from his prime minister post and leaving politics)
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
) is a Czech lawyer and former politician, member of the 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...
(ČSSD). He served as minister of the interior (2000–2004) and as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic (2004–2005).
Early political career
Gross briefly worked for the state railways company (České dráhyCeské dráhy
České dráhy or Czech Railways is the main railway operator of the Czech Republic. In 2010 its consolidated revenues reached CZK 41.0 bn...
) as an engine-driver trainee. After the Velvet Revolution
Velvet Revolution
The Velvet Revolution or Gentle Revolution was a non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia that took place from November 17 – December 29, 1989...
in 1989, he became a member of the Social Democratic party and in 1992 member of the parliament. After studies in law from 1993 to 1999 he obtained an academic title, although under less than normal conditions. His thesis had a mere 33 pages.
Minister of interior
On 5 April 2000 he was named interior minister in the government of Miloš ZemanMiloš Zeman
Miloš Zeman is a well-known Czech politician. He was a member and leader of the Czech Social Democratic Party, former speaker of the chamber of deputies from 1996 until 1998, and the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic from 1998 until 2002. He was a frequent rival of Václav Klaus...
. After elections in 2002, Gross continued as interior minister and became deputy prime minister in the government of Vladimír Špidla
Vladimír Špidla
Vladimír Špidla is a Czech politician. He served as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic from July 2002 to June 2004. Then Vladimír Špidla was appointed to the European Commission as Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.-Biography:Špidla studied history at Charles...
.
During his service, several scandals in the police had leaked out: corruption among the highest officials, irregularities in business tenders, and failure to solve serial murders. Gross claimed this is due to a better ability to discover such behaviour within the police force. Gross was also criticized for installing his friends and allies as executives in state-owned companies and for misuse of secret services for political aims.
In spite of these problems, Gross was able to maintain higher popularity than other politicians (its peak was over 70%). His youthful, photogenic appearance, skills in dealing with media and unwillingness to get involved in controversial decisions or discussions helped.
Prime minister
In the 2004 European electionEuropean Parliament election, 2004 (Czech Republic)
The European Parliament election of 2004 in the Czech Republic was the election of MEP representing Czech Republic constituency for the 2004–2009 term of the European Parliament. It was part of the wider 2004 European election....
, ČSSD lost badly and the popularity of the party was low; this led to the resignation of Špidla on 26 July. Gross was appointed prime minister on 4 August 2004 and his government was approved on 24 August.
Gross was seen by his party as the last way to regain popularity and better handle future elections. This was proved wrong; in elections for regional assemblies and Senate elections, the Social Democrats failed again.
Gross claimed he would modernise the party on lines similar to those followed by Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
, but his short time in office and constant involvement with scandals did not give him any time to implement changes. His popularity started to decline, and his involvement in further allegations of nepotism, police corruption, suspicious dealings in state privatisations accelerated the decline.
Financial irregularities
In early 2005, Gross faced a scandal related to unclear origins of the loan to buy his flat. It was found that his wife was a business associate of a brothel owner suspected of insurance fraud and money laundering1. Criticism from the media and record public dissatisfaction grew into a government crisis. For three months, Gross tried to keep himself in power until he was forced to resign on 25 April 2005. His popularity sunk to a record low, and trust in politicians among Czech people was shattered.2In September 2005 Gross stepped down from his remaining position of party leader. The reason was growing suspicion about corruption during the privatization of chemical conglomerate Unipetrol
Unipetrol
Unipetrol is a large oil distributing company in the Czech Republic majority-owned by the Polish company PKN Orlen.-External links:*...
to the Polish PKN Orlen
PKN Orlen
PKN Orlen is a major European oil refiner, and petrol retailer. The company is Poland's and Central Europe's largest publicly traded firm with major operations in Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, and the Baltic States...
, involving Gross3.
Media speculation continues. Gross was the subject of an article in Reflex Magazine (issue 36, September 2010) which included doubts regarding his explanation as to how his wealth was created, and which called for an investigation.
1This person was later sentenced for insurance fraud to five years in prison. She claims it is the result of conspiracy http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/index_view.php?id=141524.
2 Radio.cz article documenting the Grosses – including archive of Stanislav Gross related articles http://www.radio.cz/en/article/63673/limit
3 Gross denies all accusations as an absurd conspiracy against him http://zpravy.centrum.cz/domov/clanek.phtml?id=401011.
Later life
After leaving the world of top level politics Gross started to work for the Law Office of Eduard Bruna. Between April 2006 and January 2007 he served as the chairman of Security Commission of the Social Democrats (bezpečnostní komise). The media had occasionally speculated about his influence on decisions made within the Czech police.In September 2007, the economics weekly Euro published information that Gross and his wife bought up to a 31% stake in the energy company Moravia Energo. The value of the stake was estimated to be worth about 300 million CZK
Czech koruna
The Czech koruna or Czech crown has been the currency of the Czech Republic since 8 February 1993 when, together with its Slovak counterpart, it replaced the Czechoslovak koruna at par....
. The journal calculated that the banks would provide at most two-thirds of the sum and the rest was thus paid by Gross. When this information was published Gross refused to provide details to the press on grounds of privacy.
By June 2008 Gross successfully sold his 31% stake for 150 million CZK, his original purchase price was 21 million CZK. The whole deal was very curious and was investigated, but it was quickly found to be a legitimate business deal according to the Czech Police
On 18 March 2008 he failed the bar exam
Bar examination
A bar examination is an examination conducted at regular intervals to determine whether a candidate is qualified to practice law in a given jurisdiction.-Brazil:...
, but has since passed it and opened a private law practice. Gross was awarded his law degree by the University of West Bohemia
University of West Bohemia
The University of West Bohemia is a university in Pilsen, Czech Republic. It was founded in 1991 and consists of seven faculties.-Organization:The faculties are the basic units of the university. The units implement their own academic programs...
at Plzen. In 2009 this University has been the centre of investigations into allegations of law degrees being awarded after only a few months study. Gross was mentioned during the investigation.
In early 2008 together with his wife Šárka Grossová
Šárka Grossová
Šárka Grossová is a Czech enterpreneur. Her opaque business activities contributed to the resignation of her husband Stanislav Gross from the post of Czech prime minister in April 2005....
, they purchased a $735,000 (or 11 million CZK) Hidden Bay luxury condo in Miami, Florida. (review of public online county records show that the property was purchased in his wife's name only). Mr. Gross and his wife also purchased a small 10 million CZK house in need of major renovations about 1 KM from their apartment in Barrandov
Barrandov
Barrandov is a district in south-west Prague, Czech Republic, on a rock above the Vltava river. Barrandov is known for its film industry and the film studios located in the old part of the district. The Czech national television services Nova and Barrandov TV broadcast from here...
, Prague, Czech Republic (controversy surrounding the purchase of that apartment was one of the key factors in his stepping down from his prime minister post and leaving politics)
External links
- Czech PM faces corruption claim – BBC News, 2 February 2005
- http://www.radio.cz/en/article/63673/limit – Cesky Rozhlas -radio.cz- with archive of articles in English about the Grosses
- Coverage in Prague Post