2013 Czech presidential election: Difference between revisions
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Patrickneil (talk | contribs) I don't understand the use of "opposition parties" here, or the "five hours". Which debate does that refer to? |
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The first ever direct presidential election will be held in the [[Czech Republic]] in January 2013.<ref name=signs>{{cite news |url= http://praguemonitor.com/2012/08/02/klaus-signs-direct-presidential-election-bill |title= |
The first ever direct presidential election will be held in the [[Czech Republic]] in January 2013.<ref name=signs>{{cite news |url= http://praguemonitor.com/2012/08/02/klaus-signs-direct-presidential-election-bill |title= |
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Klaus signs direct presidential election bill |agency= [[ČTK]] |work= [[Prague Daily Monitor]] |date= 2 August 2012 |accessdate=21 September 2012}}</ref> If no candidate receives a majority of the votes in the first round, a second round [[runoff election]] will be held. The incumbent president, [[Václav Klaus]], is term limited from seeking reelection. |
Klaus signs direct presidential election bill |agency= [[ČTK]] |work= [[Prague Daily Monitor]] |date= 2 August 2012 |accessdate=21 September 2012}}</ref> If no candidate receives a majority of the votes in the first round, a second round [[runoff election]] will be held. The incumbent president, [[Václav Klaus]], is term limited from seeking reelection.<ref name=change/> His term ends on 7 March 2013. As of September 2012, twenty individuals, including major politicians and local celebrities, had stated their intention to run for the office.<ref name=svejnar/> |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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Since the dissolution of [[Czechoslovakia]] and the adoption of a [[Constitution of the Czech Republic|new constitution]] in 1992, the office of president has been filled by MPs in the [[Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic|Chamber of Deputies]] and the [[Senate of the Czech Republic]]. The possibility of a directly elected president has been controversial because of concerns that it could weaken a government under the [[Prime Minister of the Czech Republic|prime minister]].<ref name=radio>{{cite news |url= http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/czech-parliament-passes-direct-presidential-elections |title= Czech Parliament passes direct presidential elections |date= 2 February 2012 |accessdate= 18 September 2012 |work= [[Radio Prague]] |first= Christian |last= Falvey}}</ref><ref name=fuhrer>{{cite news |url= http://www.ceskapozice.cz/en/news/politics-policy/will-czechs-elect-worthy-president-or-fuehrer |title= Will Czechs elect a worthy president, or a führer? |work= Czech Position |first= Petr |last= Nováček |date= 14 February 2012 |accessdate= 21 September 2012}}</ref> |
Since the dissolution of [[Czechoslovakia]] and the adoption of a [[Constitution of the Czech Republic|new constitution]] in 1992, the office of president has been filled by MPs in the [[Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic|Chamber of Deputies]] and the [[Senate of the Czech Republic]]. The possibility of a directly elected president has been controversial because of concerns that it could weaken a government under the [[Prime Minister of the Czech Republic|prime minister]].<ref name=radio>{{cite news |url= http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/czech-parliament-passes-direct-presidential-elections |title= Czech Parliament passes direct presidential elections |date= 2 February 2012 |accessdate= 18 September 2012 |work= [[Radio Prague]] |first= Christian |last= Falvey}}</ref><ref name=fuhrer>{{cite news |url= http://www.ceskapozice.cz/en/news/politics-policy/will-czechs-elect-worthy-president-or-fuehrer |title= Will Czechs elect a worthy president, or a führer? |work= Czech Position |first= Petr |last= Nováček |date= 14 February 2012 |accessdate= 21 September 2012}}</ref> [[Slovakia]] made similar changes to [[Constitution of Slovakia|their constitution]] in 1999.<ref name=change>{{cite web |url= http://presidentialactivism.wordpress.com/2010/11/28/czech-republic-may-change-mode-of-presidential-elections/ |title= Czech Republic may change mode of presidential elections |date= 28 November 2010 |accessdate= 23 September 2012 |work= Presidential Activism}}</ref> |
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Prime Minister [[Petr Nečas]], of the [[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|Civic Democratic Party]], had put the issue of a directly elected president on his three-party coalition agreement when he formed his government in 2010, in part because of demands by the [[TOP 09]] party, and the [[Public Affairs (political party)|Public Affairs]] and [[Mayors and Independents]] parties.<ref name=fuhrer/> In June 2011 an implementation bill for changing the constitution passed in the Chamber of Deputies, and in July in the Senate. Though President [[Vaclav Klaus]] opposed the measure saying it was a "fatal mistake"<ref name=radio>{{cite news |url= http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/czech-parliament-passes-direct-presidential-elections |title= Czech Parliament passes direct presidential elections |date= 2 February 2012 |accessdate= 18 September 2012 |work= [[Radio Prague]] |first= Christian |last= Falvey}}</ref> as the country was not ready for such a move,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://presidentialactivism.wordpress.com/2011/03/15/vaclav-klaus-against-direct-presidential-elections-in-czech-republic/ |title= Vaclav Klaus against direct presidential elections in Czech Republic |date= 15 March 2011 |accessdate= 18 September 2012 |work= Presidential Activism}}</ref> he signed the law on 8 February 2012, allowing for the direct insertion of the relevant constitutional changes previously passed by the parliament,<ref name=signs/> and reviewed by the Interior Ministry.<ref name=fuhrer/> |
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In October 2012, Senate President [[Milan Štěch]] is due to set a date for the election after discussions with the Ministry of the Interior. The two day first round could be either 11/12 or 18/19 January 2013. By law the election, including a possible run-off, has to conclude by 6 February.<ref name=neurope>{{cite news |url= http://www.neurope.eu/article/czech-republic-hold-first-direct-presidential-election-january |title= Czech Republic to hold first direct presidential election in January |date= 2 August 2012 |accessdate= 18 September 2012 |work= New Europe}}</ref> Candidates will be allowed to spend up to 40 million [[Czech koruna|koruna]] in the first round and 10 million in a possible second round. Each candidate must also have an election committee that manages campaign funding, which should be run through a special account. If a discount has been negotiated for the campaign, the original price must be listed in the accounts. Any anonymous campaigns contributions are banned.<ref name=signs/> |
In October 2012, Senate President [[Milan Štěch]] is due to set a date for the election after discussions with the Ministry of the Interior. The two day first round could be either 11/12 or 18/19 January 2013. By law the election, including a possible run-off, has to conclude by 6 February.<ref name=neurope>{{cite news |url= http://www.neurope.eu/article/czech-republic-hold-first-direct-presidential-election-january |title= Czech Republic to hold first direct presidential election in January |date= 2 August 2012 |accessdate= 18 September 2012 |work= New Europe}}</ref> Candidates will be allowed to spend up to 40 million [[Czech koruna|koruna]] in the first round and 10 million in a possible second round. Each candidate must also have an election committee that manages campaign funding, which should be run through a special account. If a discount has been negotiated for the campaign, the original price must be listed in the accounts. Any anonymous campaigns contributions are banned.<ref name=signs/> |
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The [[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|Civic Democratic Party]] (ODS) held a primary in July 2012 to choose their candidate, selecting former President of the Senate [[Přemysl Sobotka]] over MEP [[Evžen Tošenovský]].<ref name=ods>{{cite news |url= http://praguemonitor.com/2012/07/18/civic-democrats-back-sobotka-president |title= |
The [[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|Civic Democratic Party]] (ODS) held a primary in July 2012 to choose their candidate, selecting former President of the Senate [[Přemysl Sobotka]] over MEP [[Evžen Tošenovský]].<ref name=ods>{{cite news |url= http://praguemonitor.com/2012/07/18/civic-democrats-back-sobotka-president |title= |
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Civic Democrats back Sobotka for president |agency= ČTK |work= Prague Daily Monitor |date= 18 July 2012 |accessdate= 21 September 2012}}</ref> [[Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci|SPOZ]], [[TOP 09]], and [[Sovereignty – Jana Bobošíková Bloc|Suvarenita]] have their party leaders running for the post. |
Civic Democrats back Sobotka for president |agency= ČTK |work= Prague Daily Monitor |date= 18 July 2012 |accessdate= 21 September 2012}}</ref> [[Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci|SPOZ]], [[TOP 09]], and [[Sovereignty – Jana Bobošíková Bloc|Suvarenita]] have their party leaders running for the post.<ref name=eu/> [[Jan Švejnar]], who [[Czech presidential election, 2008|ran for the presidency in 2008]] against Václav Klaus declined to run in order to support [[Jan Fischer (politician)|Jan Fischer]]'s candidacy.<ref name=svejnar>{{cite news |url= http://praguemonitor.com/2012/09/12/%C5%A1vejnar-says-he-will-not-seek-czech-presidency |title= Švejnar says he will not seek Czech presidency |agency= ČTK |date= 12 September 2012 |work= Prague Daily Monitor |accessdate= 18 September 2012}}</ref> After exploring the possibility of running, businessman [[Tomio Okamura]] chose instead to run for the Senate from [[Zlín District]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/zpravy/deadline-expires-233-czechs-run-for-senators/832246 |title= Deadline expires, 233 Czechs run for senators |work= ČTK |date= 24 August 2012 |accessdate= 21 September 2012}}</ref> |
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The full list of confirmed candidates is: |
The full list of confirmed candidates is: |
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Revision as of 16:08, 23 September 2012
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The first ever direct presidential election will be held in the Czech Republic in January 2013.[1] If no candidate receives a majority of the votes in the first round, a second round runoff election will be held. The incumbent president, Václav Klaus, is term limited from seeking reelection.[2] His term ends on 7 March 2013. As of September 2012, twenty individuals, including major politicians and local celebrities, had stated their intention to run for the office.[3]
Background
Since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia and the adoption of a new constitution in 1992, the office of president has been filled by MPs in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Czech Republic. The possibility of a directly elected president has been controversial because of concerns that it could weaken a government under the prime minister.[4][5] Slovakia made similar changes to their constitution in 1999.[2]
Prime Minister Petr Nečas, of the Civic Democratic Party, had put the issue of a directly elected president on his three-party coalition agreement when he formed his government in 2010, in part because of demands by the TOP 09 party, and the Public Affairs and Mayors and Independents parties.[5] In June 2011 an implementation bill for changing the constitution passed in the Chamber of Deputies, and in July in the Senate. Though President Vaclav Klaus opposed the measure saying it was a "fatal mistake"[4] as the country was not ready for such a move,[6] he signed the law on 8 February 2012, allowing for the direct insertion of the relevant constitutional changes previously passed by the parliament,[1] and reviewed by the Interior Ministry.[5]
In October 2012, Senate President Milan Štěch is due to set a date for the election after discussions with the Ministry of the Interior. The two day first round could be either 11/12 or 18/19 January 2013. By law the election, including a possible run-off, has to conclude by 6 February.[7] Candidates will be allowed to spend up to 40 million koruna in the first round and 10 million in a possible second round. Each candidate must also have an election committee that manages campaign funding, which should be run through a special account. If a discount has been negotiated for the campaign, the original price must be listed in the accounts. Any anonymous campaigns contributions are banned.[1]
Candidates
In order to be a candidate, an individual needs the support of either twenty MPs in the Chamber of Deputies, or ten MPs in the Senate or gather 50,000 signatures from citizens. The candidates must then file their applications with the signatures 66 days before the election;[7] following which the Interior Ministry will verify a sampling of the signatures.[1]
The Civic Democratic Party (ODS) held a primary in July 2012 to choose their candidate, selecting former President of the Senate Přemysl Sobotka over MEP Evžen Tošenovský.[8] SPOZ, TOP 09, and Suvarenita have their party leaders running for the post.[9] Jan Švejnar, who ran for the presidency in 2008 against Václav Klaus declined to run in order to support Jan Fischer's candidacy.[3] After exploring the possibility of running, businessman Tomio Okamura chose instead to run for the Senate from Zlín District.[10]
The full list of confirmed candidates is:
- Jana Bobošíková, Suvarenita, former Member of the European Parliament[11]
- Jiří Dienstbier, ČSSD, former Senator[9]
- Vladimír Dlouhý, former Minister of Industry and Trade[9]
- Jan Fischer, former Prime Minister[3]
- Táňa Fischerová, actress, former member of the Chamber of Deputies[9]
- Vladimír Franz, artist and professor[12]
- Ladislav Jakl, Party of Free Citizens, secretary to President Václav Klaus[9]
- Rut Kolinska, President of the Mother Centres Network[13]
- Karel Randák, former head of the Czech counter-intelligence[13]
- Zuzana Roithová, KDU-CSL, Member of European Parliament[9]
- Klára Samková, TOP 09, Prague councilmember[14]
- Karel Schwarzenberg, leader of TOP 09[15]
- Přemysl Sobotka, ODS, former President of the Senate[8]
- Miloš Zeman, leader of SPOZ[9]
Opinion polling
| Candidate | Party | PPM Factum 27 August 2012 |
PPM Factum 6–16 Sept 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jana Bobošíková | Suvarenita | 5.3% | 3.8% |
| Jiří Dienstbier | ČSSD | 6.5% | 6.9% |
| Vladimír Dlouhý | Independent | N/A | 4.5% |
| Jan Fischer | Independent | 22.0% | 27.7% |
| Vladimír Franz | Independent | N/A | 6.6% |
| Tomio Okamura | Independent | 7.3% | 6.1% |
| Zuzana Roithová | KDU-CSL | N/A | 3.4% |
| Karel Schwarzenberg | TOP 09 | 5.2% | 5.9% |
| Přemysl Sobotka | ODS | 4.8% | 5.7% |
| Miloš Zeman | SPOZ | 20.6% | 22.7% |
References
- ^ a b c d "Klaus signs direct presidential election bill". Prague Daily Monitor. ČTK. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ^ a b "Czech Republic may change mode of presidential elections". Presidential Activism. 28 November 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
- ^ a b c "Švejnar says he will not seek Czech presidency". Prague Daily Monitor. ČTK. 12 September 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ^ a b Falvey, Christian (2 February 2012). "Czech Parliament passes direct presidential elections". Radio Prague. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ^ a b c Nováček, Petr (14 February 2012). "Will Czechs elect a worthy president, or a führer?". Czech Position. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ^ "Vaclav Klaus against direct presidential elections in Czech Republic". Presidential Activism. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ^ a b "Czech Republic to hold first direct presidential election in January". New Europe. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ^ a b "Civic Democrats back Sobotka for president". Prague Daily Monitor. ČTK. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g "New president unlikely to be EU's harsh critic like Klaus". Prague Daily Monitor. ČTK. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ^ "Deadline expires, 233 Czechs run for senators". ČTK. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ^ "Presidential candidates for CzechRep in EU, differ on integration". ČTK. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ^ McQueeney, Kerry (14 September 2012). "The wannabe head of state that looks a right state! Fully tattooed professor's bid to be President of Czech Republic". The Daily Mail. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ^ a b "Former chief spycatcher running for president". Prague Daily Monitor. ČTK. 14 September 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ^ "Lawyer Samková runs for president". Prague Daily Monitor. ČTK. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ^ "Presidential candidate Schwarzenberg launches new website". Prague Daily Monitor. ČTK. 29 August 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
