2017 Czech parliamentary election
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The 2017 Czech legislative election is scheduled to be held in the Czech Republic on 20 and 21 October 2017.[1] All 200 members of the Chamber of Deputies will be elected and the leader of the resultant government will become the Prime Minister.
Since the previous election in 2013, the government has been a coalition of the two largest parties: the Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) of Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, and ANO 2011 (ANO), led by former Finance Minister and businessman Andrej Babiš, alongside the Christian Democratic Union (KDU-ČSL). The largest opposition party is the Communist Party with 33 seats, followed by centre-right parties TOP 09 (26 seats) and the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) with 16 seats in the chamber.
Opinion polling has shown ANO leading since early 2014, with their lead gradually increasing to double digits. The Social Democrats have been losing ground since early 2017, polling in the low double figures from May 2017. Polls indicate that several other parties, including the Communist Party, the Civic Democrats, KDU-ČSL and TOP 09, are likely to re-enter the Chamber of Deputies, with support fluctuating between 5% and 12%.
Background
The Constitution states that every four years an election to the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of the Parliament, must be held. The Government is responsible to the Chamber of Deputies and stays in power only if has the confidence of the majority of members of parliament. Article 19(1) of the Constitution provides that any citizen of the Czech Republic who has right to vote and is twenty-one years old is eligible to serve as an MP.
The Social Democrats, the largest party following the 2013 elections, formed a centre-left Coalition government with ANO and the Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU–ČSL). The Social Democrats were represented by eight ministers in the Government, with its leader, Bohuslav Sobotka, as Prime Minister. ANO, the runner-up in the election, was represented by six of its members in the Government, led by businessman Andrej Babiš, who was promoted to the role of the First Deputy Prime Minister and served as Finance Minister. The smallest party in the coalition, the Christian Democrats, were represented by three ministers, and their leader Pavel Bělobrádek held the position of Deputy Prime Minister. The biggest opposition party in the Chamber of Deputies was the Communist Party. The centre-right opposition to the government was represented by TOP 09 and the Civic Democrats.
2014 Senate and municipal elections
In 2014, voters elected 27 out of 81 Senators and approximately 62,300 members of local councils. The Social Democrats won the Senate election but lost many bigger cities, including the capital Prague to its coalition partner, ANO.
2016 regional and Senate elections
In October 2016, voters elected 675 members of regional assemblies in 13 regions of the nation (except Prague) which then elected their regional leadership. ANO won the election with 21.05%, while the Social Democrats only managed to win two regions — South Bohemia and Vysočina - and 15.25% nationwide. The Communists (KSČM) suffered the biggest loss, winning 10.54% and losing 96 seats in the assemblies. The centre-right ODS won 9.47% nationwide and 76 seats in regional assemblies.
Alongside the regional elections, about 2.7 million voters elected 27 of the 81 senators.[2] The KDU-ČSL won these elections with nine new senators, while both ANO and the Social Democrats suffered heavy losses. Even though ANO had 14 candidates in the second round, only three managed to win election. The Social Democrats lost 10 seats, including that of their Vice President of the Senate Zdeněk Škromach. The centre-right ODS had six candidates in the second round, with four of them being elected (including Zdeněk Nytra, who ran as an independent).
2017 Government crisis
The coalition government successfully passed many of the policies that had been announced in 2014, such as electronic registration of sales and reverse charging of value-added tax.[3] Bohuslav Sobotka's Cabinet was considered by pundits and commentators to be stable compared with previous cabinets.[citation needed] However, in early May 2017 a government crisis developed when Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka decided to resign due to the financial irregularities of Finance Minister Andrej Babiš. Sobotka reversed his decision a few days later following a dispute with President Miloš Zeman over the continuation of the government, and on 24 May 2017, Sobotka dismissed Babiš and replaced him with Ivan Pilný, effectively ending the crisis.[4]
Electoral system
The 200 members of the Chamber of Deputies are elected from 14 multi-member constituencies using open list proportional representation, in which they can give preferential votes for up to four candidates on their chosen list. Seats are allocated using the d'Hondt method, with an electoral threshold of single 5% for parties, 10% for two-party alliances, 15% for three-party alliances and 20% for alliances of four or more parties. Candidates who receive preferential votes from more than 5% of voters are moved to the top of their list, and in cases where more than one candidate receives over 5% of the preferential votes, they are ranked in order of votes received.[5]
Date of the election
The Czech constitution states that elections to the Chamber of Deputies must be held every four years. Polling days in the Czech Republic are Friday and Saturday, and voters can submit their ballots on either day. The exact date of the election is chosen by the President, who is obliged to call it at least 90 days before the election is held. On 6 April 2017, President Miloš Zeman announced 20 and 21 October 2017 as election days.
Timetable
The key dates are:
| Thursday 6 April | President Miloš Zeman announces that the election will take place on 20 and 21 October 2017 |
| Friday 1 September | Last day to file nomination papers |
| Tuesday 5 September | State Election Committee draws lots and assigns parties their respective electoral numbers |
| Wednesday 4 October | Official campaign begins |
| Tuesday 17 October | Ballots are sent to voters via post |
| Friday & Saturday 20–21 October | Polling days |
Contesting political parties and candidates
Parties known to be contesting the upcoming election include:
Campaign
For the first time in Czech elections, campaign spending is limited, with a cap of 90 million CZK (approximately €3,300,000) for each party. A new supervisory body was established, the Office for Supervision of Finances of Political Parties and Political Movements.
The date of the election was announced on 2 May 2017, marking the start of the official campaign.[7] Parties were allowed to register for the election until 15 August 2017. 31 parties registered in total, the highest number ever.[8][9]
ANO 2011
ANO, the front-runner in the election, launched its campaign on 3 May 2017, when media outlets owned by party leader Andrej Babiš published an image of Babiš with tape over his mouth, intended as a criticism of ČSSD.[10]
On 10 August 2017, criminal proceedings began against Andrej Babiš, who is accused of subsidy fraud. The Chamber of Deputies was asked to remove Babiš's immunity so that he could be criminally prosecuted. Babiš expressed his view that the purpose of the criminal proceedings is to destroy him politically.[11]
Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU–ČSL)
KDU–ČSL formed a political alliance with Mayors and Independents, called Populars and Mayors, with the aim of becoming the "third power" of Czech politics. Party alliances require 10% of votes to qualify for seats in the parliament. The alliance was dissolved in July 2017 as a result of poor results in opinion polls.
KDU-ČSL began its campaign at the beginning of August 2017, focusing on family, education, innovation and children. Pavel Bělobrádek announced that the symbol of the party's campaign is a house for three generations, and its campaign slogan is: "Responsibly."[12] Bělobrádek stated that he will resign if the party's result is worse than the 2013 election.[13]
Civic Democratic Party (ODS)
The centre-right ODS launched their campaign in partnership with the Freeholder party which means 40 members of Freeholders will stand for election as representatives of the Civic Democrats. The Civic Democrats launched their campaign on 29 May 2017.[14]
ODS launched its electoral program and announced its candidates on 19 April 2017, promising to lower taxes and cut subsidies and social benefits.[15]
On 11 July 2017, the Civic Democrats said that they did not want to bother voters with politics during the summer holiday season, and launched a contest called "We are looking for the Seven Wonders of Czechia", in which voters nominate interesting places in their regions that are not well known.[16] In August 2017, ODS started its contact campaign, with leaders of the party stating that communication with citizens was the party's strongest electoral weapon. The Civic Democrats organised summer film screenings, projecting the film River Rascals to attract voters to its meetings.[17]
On 17 August 2017, ODS introduced the Vyšehrad Proclamation, a list of conditions under which the party would join a coalition government, including lower taxes, refusal to adopt the Euro, rejection of immigration quotas, and ending the electronic sales record.[18] Party launched "hot phase" of campaign on 1 September 2017. They called it "Blue Wave."[19]
Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM)
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (August 2017) |
Czech Pirate Party (Piráti)
The Pirates launched their campaign on 22 May 2017, with the aim of getting 10% of votes. They are calling for radical changes in taxes and communication with administration.[20]
Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD)
Following the government crisis in May 2017, polls registered a drop for the Social Democrats and ANO, and an increase for the Civic Democrats.[21] A poll by Kantar TNS showing ČSSD in fourth place prompted speculation over Bohuslav Sobotka's position as party leader,[22] and he resigned as leader of ČSSD on 15 June 2017. Milan Chovanec became acting party leader and Lubomír Zaorálek became the Social Democrat candidate for Prime Minister.[23] The party's campaign manager, Jan Birke MP, resigned two days after Sobotka.
The Social Democrats experienced internal party conflict in the South Bohemian Region over the rejection of candidates, including former Governor Jiří Zimola.[24] On 5 June 2017, some ČSSD candidates in the region refused to run for the party, in protest at the party's decision not to include Zimola on their list.[25]
The Social Democrats launched their campaign and election platform on 19 June 2017.[26][27] On 29 August 2017, Lubomír Zaorálek launched the party's official campaign.[28]
Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD)
It was speculated that Freedom and Direct Democracy would participate in the election together with the Party of Civic Rights, but SPD leader Tomio Okamura announced on 14 February that the party would participate independently. Okamura borrowed 18 million Kc for the campaign.[29]
Green Party
The Greens launched their campaign on 16 June 2017. Matěj Stropnický stated that he hoped the party would receive 6-8% of votes.[30]
Mayors and Independents (STAN)
STAN launched its campaign on 27 July 2017, introducing its new logo and election leader Jan Farský.[31]
Party of Civic Rights (SPO)
SPO is supported by president Miloš Zeman. SPO wanted to participate in an alliance with Tomio Okamura's Freedom and Direct Democracy, but Okamura declined.[32]
On 11 August 2017, SPO announced that František Ringo Čech would be its election leader.[33]
Realists (REAL)
The Realists launched their campaign on 14 February 2017, intending to get 20% of votes. Their campaign is focused on the introduction of a 15% flat tax and security.[34] On 2 June 2017, the party launched their campaign, "Change of style." Members of the party were shown on billboards with their image changed, and were shown in casual clothes.[35]
TOP 09
TOP 09 launched its campaign on 30 May 2017,[36] mainly focusing on being in the "faster lane" of the European Union and adopting the Euro.[citation needed]
On 12 July, TOP 09 announced that it would cooperate with the Liberal-Environmental Party.[37]
Opinion polls
The polls are from October 2013 up to the current date with each line and dots corresponding to a political party.
Results
See also
Notes
References
- ^ "Resolution 135/2017" (in Czech). Retrieved 6 May 2017.
- ^ "Volební účast v obvodech v 1. a 2. kole" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
- ^ "Policy Statement of The Government of The Czech Republic". Government of the Czech Republic. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Czech president fires finance minister, ending political crisis". POLITICO. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
- ^ Electoral system IPU
- ^ https://www.pirati.cz/en/program/start
- ^ "Průhledná volební kampaň? Spíš zmatek". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 22 May 2017.
- ^ "K volbám do Sněmovny se přihlásilo jednatřicet stran, nejvíc v historii". iDNES.cz. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^ "Do sněmovních voleb se přihlásilo 31 stran, nejvíce v historii ČR". Parlamentní Listy. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^ "ANO spustilo kampaň. Babiš se zalepenými ústy je ve většině novin". iROZHLAS (in Czech). Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ "Sněmovna dostala žádost o vydání Babiše a Faltýnka k trestnímu stíhání". iDNES.cz. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ "Lidovci slibují voličům dostupné bydlení i podporu pracujících rodičů". iDNES.cz. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ "Pokud si ve volbách pohoršíme, rezignuji, řekl šéf lidovců Bělobrádek". iDNES.cz. 2 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ "Fiala představil kampaň ODS: Na billboardech odmítne chaos, cirkus a ostudu". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ "ODS chce voliče oslovit snížením daní a růstem mezd - Echo24.c". Echo24 (in Czech). 19 April 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^ "ODS v kampani hledá 7 divů Česka, nechce v létě lidi obtěžovat politikou". iDNES.cz. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
- ^ "ODS sází na kontaktní kampaň, voliče láká na filmy". Parlamentní Listy. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ "Nižší daně či zrušení EET. ODS představila dvanáct podmínek pro vstup do budoucí koalice". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 17 August 2017.
- ^ "ODS zahájila v Brně kampaň, lídři se rozjedou po Česku v dodávkách". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 1 September 2017.
{{cite web}}: no-break space character in|title=at position 15 (help) - ^ "Piráti plují do Sněmovny za 10 procenty s radikálním plánem nižších daní". iDNES.cz. 22 May 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ Vilímová, Tereza (29 May 2017). "Pravice na vzestupu. Fiala se dotahuje na ČSSD, Kalousek k 10 procentům". Echo24 (in Czech). Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ "V ČSSD se hraje o pozici Sobotky". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 9 June 2017.
- ^ "PŘÍMÝ PŘENOS: ČSSD řeší dělbu vlivu mezi Sobotku, Chovance a Zaorálka". iDNES.cz. 14 June 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ^ "V ČSSD to vře kvůli odepsaným kandidátům". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ "Jihočeská kandidátka ČSSD pro sněmovní volby se hroutí". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ Cápová, Michaela (17 June 2017). "ČSSD představuje program. Zaorálek: Jde o osud celé země - Echo24.cz". Echo24 (in Czech). Retrieved 17 June 2017.
- ^ "ČSSD dnes představí volební kampaň a program". Parlamentní Listy. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
- ^ "Zaorálek zahájil kampaň ČSSD na soutěži seniorů, přislíbil růst životního standardu". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 29 August 2017.
- ^ "Okamura půjde do voleb sám. Vzal si na ně půjčku 18 milionů korun". iDNES.cz. 14 February 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ "Zelení startují kampaň. Babišovy potraviny se nedají jíst, kritizoval Stropnický". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 16 June 2017.
- ^ "STAN vede do voleb Farský, s novým logem připomínajícím Windows". iDNES.cz. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ "Máte můj hlas, ujišťoval Zeman SPO. Serveme se o to, řekl Veleba". iDNES.cz. 11 February 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ "Prezident zavolal. František Ringo Čech bude superlídrem SPO ve volbách". iDNES.cz. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ "Robejšek odstartoval kampaň, chce získat dvacet procent hlasů". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ "Pryč s kravatou, zavelel Robejšek. A láká na lepší budoucnost pro děti". iDNES.cz. 2 June 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ "Neuhneme oligarchům. TOP 09 odstartovala předvolební kampaň v čističce". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 30 May 2017.
- ^ webmaster@tyden.cz, TYDEN, www.tyden.cz, e-mail: (12 July 2017). "TOP 09 půjde do voleb ve spolupráci s Bursíkovou LES". TÝDEN.cz. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
