The Czech Republic plans to elect a new Chamber of Deputies in its parliament on October 25th, a result of a tumultuous summer for politicians in Prague. In June of this year, then Prime Minister Petr Necas was part of a scandal involving a close aide (and lover) as well as several others accused of bribery and corruption. Then, in August, the Czech lawmakers voted to dissolve parliament and hold an early election.
The make-up of the Chamber of Deputies, the 200-person lower body of the Czech parliament, is expected to change. The Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD) is expected to win the most seats with 23.8 percent of the electorate supporting the party. The CSSD has traditionally been in favor of a stronger welfare state as well as closer integration with the European Union. The next-highest polling party is the Communist party (KSCM), with 16.9 percent of the vote. Top 09 is expected to receive the third-most number of seats, with 11.9 percent of the vote. Top 09 is a free-market party that split from the Christian Democrats in 2009. The Civic Democrats, who are fiscally conservative Eurosceptics, held the second most number of seats in the most recent parliament. They are currently in 5th place, with an expected 7.5 percent of the seats in parliament.
The CSSD, worried over the possibility for a rival coalition to form, has been floating the idea of building a coalition of its own. The Civic Democrats and the Communists have been mentioned as potential allies, though nothing is definite as many disagreements remain between these parties.
Recently, parliament has been the target of growing animosity from some constituents, in particular artist David Cerny. Cerny, a controversial Czech sculptor, recently placed his newest masterpiece on the river Vitava that overlooks the Prauge Castle, home to President Miloš Zeman. The piece, a large purple hand extending its middle finger in the direction of parliament, is meant to be commentary on the parliament’s performance. Cerny has yet to say when he will remove the hand.
One of the key issues that this parliament will deal with is the Czech Republic’s relationship with the European Union. The Czech Republic became a member of the European Union in May of 2004, and has planned to join the EU’s monetary union for some time. However, the Czech Republic’s ascension to the Euro has been delayed a number of times, particularly in light of the most recent financial crises in several EU states. The past few years have highlighted the Czech Republic’s close ties with Europe, as its economy’s performance is closely linked with developments in the rest of Europe.
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Czech Republic Goes to the Polls
October 25, 2013
The Czech Republic plans to elect a new Chamber of Deputies in its parliament on October 25th, a result of a tumultuous summer for politicians in Prague. In June of this year, then Prime Minister Petr Necas was part of a scandal involving a close aide (and lover) as well as several others accused of bribery and corruption. Then, in August, the Czech lawmakers voted to dissolve parliament and hold an early election.
The make-up of the Chamber of Deputies, the 200-person lower body of the Czech parliament, is expected to change. The Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD) is expected to win the most seats with 23.8 percent of the electorate supporting the party. The CSSD has traditionally been in favor of a stronger welfare state as well as closer integration with the European Union. The next-highest polling party is the Communist party (KSCM), with 16.9 percent of the vote. Top 09 is expected to receive the third-most number of seats, with 11.9 percent of the vote. Top 09 is a free-market party that split from the Christian Democrats in 2009. The Civic Democrats, who are fiscally conservative Eurosceptics, held the second most number of seats in the most recent parliament. They are currently in 5th place, with an expected 7.5 percent of the seats in parliament.
The CSSD, worried over the possibility for a rival coalition to form, has been floating the idea of building a coalition of its own. The Civic Democrats and the Communists have been mentioned as potential allies, though nothing is definite as many disagreements remain between these parties.
Recently, parliament has been the target of growing animosity from some constituents, in particular artist David Cerny. Cerny, a controversial Czech sculptor, recently placed his newest masterpiece on the river Vitava that overlooks the Prauge Castle, home to President Miloš Zeman. The piece, a large purple hand extending its middle finger in the direction of parliament, is meant to be commentary on the parliament’s performance. Cerny has yet to say when he will remove the hand.
One of the key issues that this parliament will deal with is the Czech Republic’s relationship with the European Union. The Czech Republic became a member of the European Union in May of 2004, and has planned to join the EU’s monetary union for some time. However, the Czech Republic’s ascension to the Euro has been delayed a number of times, particularly in light of the most recent financial crises in several EU states. The past few years have highlighted the Czech Republic’s close ties with Europe, as its economy’s performance is closely linked with developments in the rest of Europe.
