2003 Czech presidential election

none Czech Republic presidential 1998 Czech presidential election 1998 2008 Czech presidential election 2008 15, 24 January & 28 February 2003 File:Vaclav Klaus 2005 portrait.jpg Václav Klaus Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic) 142 53.4% Jan Sokol.jpg Jan Sokol Czech Social Democratic Party 124 46.6% President Václav Havel Independent politician Václav Klaus Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic) Indirect presidential elections were held in the Czech Republic in January and February 2003 to elect a new President. The Parliament of the Czech Republic failed to elect a candidate on the first two ballots on the 15 and 24 January. However, on the third round of the third ballot on 28 February, Václav Klaus was elected. Background and procedure President of the Czech Republic In 2003 Václav Havel had served the maximum 2 consecutive terms as President of the Czech Republic, with his second term ending on 2 February 2003. A joint session of the Parliament of the Czech Republic was held on the 15 January 2003 to elect his successor.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71100373.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160307163100/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71100373.html usurped 7 March 2016 Czech legislators to make new attempt to choose Havel successor on Jan. 24 17 January 2003 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription AP Worldstream 19 June 2012 Before the constitution was amended in 2012 to establish direct presidential election,http://praguemonitor.com/2012/02/20/klaus-signs-bill-direct-presidential-elections Klaus signs bill on direct presidential elections 20 February 2012 Prague Daily Monitor 21 June 2012 dead https://archive.today/20130131194038/http://praguemonitor.com/2012/02/20/klaus-signs-bill-direct-presidential-elections 31 January 2013 the President of the Czech Republic was elected indirectly by a joint session of the Czech Parliament. Each ballot had 3 rounds, with a candidate needing an absolute majority of both the 200 members of the Chamber of Deputies and the 81 members of the Senate in order to be elected in the first round.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71039728.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160327053544/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71039728.html usurped 27 March 2016 Czech Leader Vaclav Havel Gives Farewell Hejma Ondrej 15 January 2003 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription AP Online 19 June 2012 When no candidate achieved a majority in both houses of parliament in the first round, then a second round was held between the best-placed candidate in the Chamber vote and the best-placed candidate in the Senate vote, again with an absolute majority needed to get in both houses,http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71031371.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160309195656/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71031371.html usurped 9 March 2016 Czech Parliament convenes to elect successor to President Vaclav Havel Hejma Ondrej 15 January 2003 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription AP Worldstream 19 June 2012 but only among the members who were present at the election. If the second round was also unsuccessful, then in the third round a candidate needed to win a majority of all present members of parliament, but with votes of both chambers being taken together. So if all the members of parliament were present a candidate would need 141 votes, from a combination of deputies and senators, in order to be elected in the third round.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2690561.stm Czech presidential election stumbles 24 January 2003 BBC News Online 21 June 2012 When no candidate is elected in all 3 rounds, the process would be repeated at further joint sessions until a candidate was elected. Parties in parliament Party Chamber of Deputies Senate Both ChambersEndorsed Candidate 1st Ballot 2nd Ballot 3rd Ballot Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) 70 200 ČSSD 11 81 ČSSD 81 281 ČSSD Jaroslav Bureš Miloš Zeman Jan Sokol Civic Democratic Party (ODS) 58 200 Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic) 26 81 Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic) 84 281 Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic) Václav Klaus Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM) 41 200 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia 3 81 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia 44 281 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia Miroslav Kříženecký Václav KlausLutišan Vojtěch VOLBA PREZIDENTA REPUBLIKY V ČESKÉ REPUBLICE https://is.muni.cz/th/134804/pravf_m/diplomka.pdf IS.Muni.cz Masaryk University 2 April 2017 Christian and Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU-ČSL) 21 200 Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party 16 81 Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party 37 281 Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party Petr Pithart Jaroslava Moserová Jan Sokol Freedom Union – Democratic Union (US-DEU) 10 200 #228b22 11 81 #228b22 21 281 #228b22 Petr Pithart Jaroslava Moserová Jan Sokol Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA) 0 200 #0000FF 5 81 #0000FF 5 281 #0000FF Petr Pithart Jaroslava Moserová SNK European Democrats (SNK ED) 0 200 #FFCB03 2 81 #FFCB03 2 281 #FFCB03 INDEPENDENTS (NEZ) 0 200 #292829 2 81 #292829 2 281 #292829 Independents 0 200 #A9A9A9 5 81 #A9A9A9 5 281 #A9A9A9 Candidates Name Party Occupation Note 75px Jaroslav Bureš ČSSD Minister of Justice He participated in Social democratic primaries but came second. He was nominated for the first ballot of election. 75px Václav Klaus ODS Leader of ODS, former Prime Minister He decided to run for president after his party lost 2002 legislative election. He announced his candidature on 12 October 2002. He was nominated by ODS.Rozhodnuto: Klaus kandiduje http://zpravy.idnes.cz/rozhodnuto-klaus-kandiduje-dpd-/domaci.aspx?c=A021011_215100_domaci_pol iDNES.cz 31 March 2017 12 October 2002 His victory was considered unlikely. 75px Miroslav Kříženecký KSČM Lawyer, politician He was nominated by Communist party.Český rozhlas - Zprávy http://m.rozhlas.cz/zpravy/domaci/_zprava/50981 m.rozhlas.cz 31 March 2017 1 April 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170401063913/http://m.rozhlas.cz/zpravy/domaci/_zprava/50981 dead 75px Jaroslava Moserová ODA Senator She was nominated by a group of Liberal parties for the second ballot.Moserová se popere o Hrad http://zpravy.idnes.cz/moserova-se-popere-o-hrad-0hk-/domaci.aspx?c=A030120_150145_prezident_jan iDNES.cz 31 March 2017 20 January 2003 75px Petr Pithart KDU–ČSL Senator and former Prime Minister He was nominated by KDU-ČSL.Pithart: Prezidenta zvládnu http://zpravy.idnes.cz/pithart-prezidenta-zvladnu-dpm-/domaci.aspx?c=A021008_223839_domaci_was iDNES.cz 31 March 2017 9 October 2002 He participated in 1st ballot in which he was front-runner prior to voting. 75px Jan Sokol ČSSD Philosopher He was nominated by ČSSD for the third ballot.ČSSD: Chceme Sokola nominovat společně https://zpravy.idnes.cz/cssd-chceme-sokola-nominovat-spolecne-dxa-/domaci.aspx?c=A030215_152117_prezident_nad iDNES.cz 18 January 2018 15 February 2003 112x112px Miloš Zeman ČSSD Former leader of ČSSD, former Prime Minister He announced his candidature on 22 September 2002.Rytíř z Vysočiny http://zpravy.idnes.cz/rytir-z-vysociny-0e9-/domaci.aspx?c=A020930_223708_komentaremfd_was iDNES.cz 31 March 2017 30 September 2002 He won party's primaries and was nominated in 2nd ballot because he refused to participate in 1st ballot.Referendum posouvá na Hrad Zemana http://zpravy.idnes.cz/referendum-posouva-na-hrad-zemana-dlr-/domaci.aspx?c=A021128_214638_domaci_pol iDNES.cz 31 March 2017 29 November 2002 Other potential candidates Name Party Occupation Note 75px Madeleine Albright Democratic Party American politician and diplomat, former United States Secretary of State She was suggested by Václav Havel as his successor.Erlanger Steven Havel Keeps Pressing Albright About Becoming Czech President https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/07/world/havel-keeps-pressing-albright-about-becoming-czech-president.html The New York Times 31 March 2017 7 March 2000 There were rumors that she seriously considered running.Central Europe Review - Madeleine Albright for Czech President? http://www.ce-review.org/00/10/culik10.html https://web.archive.org/web/20000408030256/http://www.ce-review.org/00/10/culik10.html usurped April 8, 2000 Ce-review.org 31 March 2017 She eventually refused to run for president.Albrightová prezidentkou ČR být nechce http://www.kurzy.cz/zpravy/45759-albrightova-prezidentkou-cr-byt-nechce/ Kurzy.cz 1 April 2017 cs 75px Petra Buzková ČSSD Minister of Education She was suggested as possible candidate by Václav Havel and she was offered nomination by some members of ČSSD but she refused.Někdejší korunní princezna ČSSD Buzková: Chtěli mě za prezidentku! http://www.ahaonline.cz/clanek/musite-vedet/125705/nekdejsi-korunni-princezna-cssd-buzkova-chteli-me-za-prezidentku.html Ahaonline.cz 1 April 2017 75px Václav Fischer Independent Senator and businessman His candidature was speculated due to his popularity in 2002. There was a poll that gave him a chance to win the direct vote. He said that he plans to run in 2008 if the direct vote is introduced.Fischer prodá firmu a chce na Hrad http://zpravy.idnes.cz/fischer-proda-firmu-a-chce-na-hrad-d44-/domaci.aspx?c=A021024_220416_domaci_pol iDNES.cz 1 April 2017 25 October 2002 75px Karel Gott Independent Singer Gott said that he would run for the office if Czech president is elected directly.Karel Gott chce do přímé volby https://www.novinky.cz/domaci/2008-karel-gott-chce-do-prime-volby.html Novinky.cz 31 March 2017 csGott chce kandidovat v přímé volbě http://zpravy.idnes.cz/gott-chce-kandidovat-v-prime-volbe-dr7-/domaci.aspx?c=A030204_225653_lidicky_ef iDNES.cz 31 March 2017 5 February 2003 He later endorsed Václav Klaus.Gott: Ať jde na Hrad Klaus http://zpravy.idnes.cz/gott-at-jde-na-hrad-klaus-0wb-/domaci.aspx?c=A030209_221223_prezident_pol iDNES.cz 31 March 2017 10 February 2003 121x121px Helena Illnerová ČSSD, KDU-ČSL, US-DEU President of Czech Academy of Sciences Suggested as potential candidate of governing coalition for third ballot.Ve hře o prezidenta jsou tři lidé http://zpravy.idnes.cz/ve-hre-o-prezidenta-jsou-tri-lide-d4c-/domaci.aspx?c=A030131_230632_prezident_pol iDNES.cz 1 April 2017 1 February 2003 99x99px Pavel Klener ČSSD, KDU-ČSL, US-DEU Chairman of Czech Oncologist Society Suggested as potential candidate of governing coalition for third ballot. 75px Otakar Motejl ČSSD Ombudsman of the Czech Republic He participated in presidential primaries of ČSSD and was considered one of the front-runners in the election.Prezident, který nikomu nebude překážet http://www.euro.cz/byznys/prezidentktery-nikomu-nebude-prekazet-864452 Euro.cz 1 April 2017 cs 2 December 2002 His presidential bid ended when he came third in the primaries and lost to Zeman and Bureš. Despite his lost, he still had strong support in party's leadership.Část ČSSD dál tlačí Motejla na Hrad http://zpravy.idnes.cz/cast-cssd-dal-tlaci-motejla-na-hrad-drt-/domaci.aspx?c=A021202_212401_domaci_was iDNES.cz 1 April 2017 3 December 2002 He was later suggested for third ballot but it was declined by governing parties.Motejl vypadl ze hry o prezidenta http://zpravy.idnes.cz/motejl-vypadl-ze-hry-o-prezidenta-dla-/domaci.aspx?c=A030129_222805_prezident_pol iDNES.cz 1 April 2017 30 January 2003 75px Martin Potůček ČSSD University professor, public policy analyst, journalist. He participated in presidential primaries of ČSSD but received only 5% of votes. 75px Pavel Rychetský ČSSD Minister of Justice He was suggested by ČSSD for third ballot but Rychetský declined .ČSSD nabízí na Hrad Rychetského http://zpravy.idnes.cz/cssd-nabizi-na-hrad-rychetskeho-d3k-/domaci.aspx?c=A030127_162817_domaci_has iDNES.cz 1 April 2017 27 January 2003Rychetský o Hrad nestojí http://zpravy.idnes.cz/rychetsky-o-hrad-nestoji-0xl-/domaci.aspx?c=A021002_182143_osobnost_has iDNES.cz 1 April 2017 3 October 2002 75px Jakub S. Trojan ČSSD Theologist Planned to participate in presidential primaries of ČSSD.Economia a.s. Do referenda ČSSD jde nakonec pět kandidátů, mezi nimi i teolog Trojan http://archiv.ihned.cz/c1-11673310-do-referenda-cssd-jde-nakonec-pet-kandidatu-mezi-nimi-i-teolog-trojan Hospodářské noviny 1 April 2017 cs 16 October 2002 75px Ivan Wilhelm ČSSD, KDU-ČSL, US-DEU Chairman of Charles University Suggested as potential candidate of governing coalition for third ballot. 100x100px Rudolf Zahradník ČSSD Former President of Czech Academy of Sciences Announced as candidate in presidential primaries of ČSSD but withdrawn prior voting.Souboj o příštího prezidenta začal http://zpravy.idnes.cz/souboj-o-pristiho-prezidenta-zacal-dur-/domaci.aspx?c=A020930_211317_domaci_was iDNES.cz 1 April 2017 1 October 2002 Opinion polls Opinion polling for the 2003 Czech presidential election First ballot Initial candidates The leading party in the government coalition, the Social Democratic Party, nominated a former justice minister Jaroslav Bureš.http://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/news-of-radio-prague-668 https://archive.today/20130210110349/http://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/news-of-radio-prague-668 dead 10 February 2013 News of Radio Prague 15 December 2002 Radio Prague 18 June 2012 He defeated a former leader of his party and Prime Minister, Miloš Zeman, for the nomination, despite Zeman winning a party primary, causing splits in the party.http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/-presidential-candidates-step-forward-as-vaclav-havels-term-draws-to-an-end- Presidential candidates step forward as Vaclav Havel's term draws to an end Hrobský Martin 18 December 2002 Radio Prague 18 June 2012 Zeman was a rival of the Prime Minister and Social Democrat leader Vladimír Špidla and Bureš was an attempted compromise candidate for the party. The junior party in the coalition, the Christian Democratic Party, meanwhile nominated the chairman of the Senate and former Prime Minister between 1990 and 1992, Petr Pithart as their candidate.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-70367070.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085207/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-70367070.html usurped 4 March 2016 Christian Democrats choose presidential candidate 14 December 2002 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription AP Worldstream 18 June 2012 He was also supported by the Freedom Union party, another party in the governing coalition. The main opposition party, the Civic Democratic Party, chose the former leader of the party and prime minister, Václav Klaus, as their candidate. Klaus declared his candidacy in October 2002 and stepped down as leader of his party in December, after having led his party to defeat at the 2002 parliamentary election.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-68639463.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160414075744/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-68639463.html usurped 14 April 2016 Former prime minister to run for president 10 October 2002 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription AP Worldstream 18 June 2012 The final candidate in the election was Miroslav Kříženecký, a former military prosecutor, who was supported by the Communist Party. Voting 250px|thumb|Petr Pithart came second in the first ballot of the election Reports before the election had Petr Pithart and Václav Klaus as the favourites for the election, due to disunity in the Social Democrats, with the Social Democrats and some Communists expected to support Pithart on the second round against Václav Klaus.http://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/news-of-radio-prague-693 https://archive.today/20130206111050/http://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/news-of-radio-prague-693 dead 6 February 2013 News of Radio Prague Cameron Rob 14 January 2003 Radio Prague 18 June 2012https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-96417898/czech-parliament-to-pick-president-some-fear-that Czech parliament to pick president; Some fear that no candidate will win required majority. Konviser Bruce 14 January 2003 The Washington Times 2020-09-04 Questia subscription Washington, DC https://web.archive.org/web/20200904101953/https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-96417898/czech-parliament-to-pick-president-some-fear-that However, there was scepticism that any candidate would be able to be elected in the first ballot on the 15 January 2003.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71014028.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160413113809/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71014028.html usurped 13 April 2016 Parliament to elect successor to President Vaclav Havel Rybarova Nadia 14 January 2003 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription AP Worldstream 18 June 2012 Before the votes the outgoing President Václav Havel delivered a farewell speech for which he received a standing ovation, after urging legislators to follow their conscience.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71038073.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160310000142/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71038073.html usurped 10 March 2016 Second round in vote to choose Havel successor inconclusive Hejma Ondrej 15 January 2003 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription AP Worldstream 19 June 2012 The first vote saw no candidate elected, but with the Social Democrat candidate, Jaroslav Bureš, and the Communist candidate, Miroslav Kříženecký being eliminated with both receiving 46 votes from deputies and senators.Linek Lukáš Mansfeldová, Zdenka 6 December 2004 Czech Republic European Journal of Political Research 43 7–8 980–988 10.1111/j.1475-6765.2004.00187.x Almost half of the Social Democrats lawmakers did not vote for Bureš, highlighting the divisions within the party. Very surprising was low support for Petr Pithart. He received only 20 votes in Chamber of Deputies even though KDU-ČSL that nominated him had 21 Members of the Chamber. Václav Klaus and Petr Pithart competed in the next two rounds but neither was able to be elected,http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71074780.html https://archive.today/20130125030954/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71074780.html usurped 25 January 2013 Czechs fail to choose a successor for Havel 16 January 2003 The Record HighBeam Research subscription 19 June 2012 with Klaus getting the most votes in the Chamber of Deputies, while Pethart received the most votes in the Senate in all three election rounds.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8800277.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160312094734/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8800277.html usurped 12 March 2016 Czech's parliament fails to elect president 17 January 2003 China Daily HighBeam Research subscription 19 June 2012 Klaus led throughout and in the third round received 113 votes to 89 for Pithart, but as 84 legislators submitted empty ballots neither was able to reach the required 141 votes. The first ballot showed disunity of ČSSD during the election. It also showed that Klaus has much higher support than it was expected. Round Václav Klaus Petr Pithart Jaroslav Bureš Miroslav Kříženecký Deputies Senators Deputies Senators Deputies Senators Deputies Senators 1st 92 31 20 35 39 7 44 2 123 55 46 46 2nd 77 32 46 43 - - - - 109 89 - - 3rd 80 33 44 40 - - - - 113 89 - - Second ballot 200px|thumb|Miloš Zeman was unexpectedly knocked out after coming third in the first vote of the second ballot. Following the first ballot the five parties in parliament agreed to try again on the 24 January. Václav Klaus, after leading in the first ballot, was renominated by the Civic Democrats, but no other party again supported the candidates they had nominated in the first ballot. On the 18 January the Social Democrats nominated the former Prime Minister Miloš Zeman as their candidate in the next ballot.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71125768.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160309185827/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71125768.html usurped 9 March 2016 Czech's ruling Social Democrats choose a new presidential candidate 18 January 2003 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription AP Worldstream 19 June 2012 The party leadership was reported to have given him an "overwhelming majority" in the vote on the party's candidate. However Zeman was a rival of the Social Democrat leader and prime minister, Vladimír Špidla, and his election was seen as possibly furthering divisions in the party. Meanwhile, the 2 junior parties in the governing coalition, the Christian Democrats and the Freedom Union, nominated senator and former diplomat Jaroslava Moserová, who would have been the first female Czech president if she had won the election.http://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/news-of-radio-prague-700 https://archive.today/20130210201646/http://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/news-of-radio-prague-700 dead 10 February 2013 News of Radio Prague Cameron Rob 21 January 2003 Radio Prague 19 June 2012http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71310568.html https://archive.today/20130125232439/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71310568.html usurped 25 January 2013 Czech Lawmakers Face New Presidential Vote Janicek Karel 24 January 2003 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription 19 June 2012 It was expected that second ballot will be duel between Klaus and Zeman. This was nicknamed "Clash of Titans."Prezidentská volba: Události minulé nám ukazují, jak mohou vypadat události budoucí https://legacy.blisty.cz/art/12565.html legacy.blisty.cz 22 May 2017 cs In the first round Miloš Zeman was surprisingly eliminated after winning 78 votes from deputies and 5 from senators. His elimination came after Klaus came first among deputies with 89 votes, while Moserová came first among the senators with 43 votes. Zeman was reported to have been opposed by some Social Democratic legislators in order to prevent him from getting into a position to challenge Prime Minister Špidla. In the second round the deputies again supported Klaus, but the senate voted 42-33 in favour of Moserová.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71310620.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160307134201/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71310620.html usurped 7 March 2016 Czech Lawmakers Can't Decide on President Janicek Karel 24 January 2003 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription AP Online 19 June 2012 This led to a third round being held, which Klaus won by 127 votes to 65, but with 85 blank votes Klaus failed to reach the required 141 votes.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71310713.html https://archive.today/20130125112915/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71310713.html usurped 25 January 2013 Czech Lawmakers Can't Agree on President Janicek Karel 24 January 2003 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription 19 June 2012 Round Václav Klaus Jaroslava Moserová Miloš Zeman Deputies Senators Deputies Senators Deputies Senators 1st 89 32 25 43 78 5 121 68 83 2nd 85 33 32 42 - - 118 74 - 3rd 95 32 26 39 - - 127 65 - Between the second and third ballots The presidential term of Václav Havel finished on the 2 February, which meant that legislators had 30 days to elect a successor according to the constitution.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71525864.html https://archive.today/20130125032455/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71525864.html usurped 25 January 2013 Popular Czech singer is considering running for president 5 February 2003 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription 20 June 2012 During the period in which there was no president, the powers of the president were assumed jointly by the Prime Minister Vladimír Špidla and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Lubomír Zaorálek.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71463365.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160409185008/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71463365.html usurped 9 April 2016 Czech Republic is without a president for the first time Rybarova Nadia 3 February 2003 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription AP Worldstream 20 June 2012 This was the first time the Czech Republic had been without a president. Opinion polls showed the population strongly supported changing the constitution to allow the direct election of the president by popular vote, with political leaders indicating they would attempt to make this change if a third attempt to elect a president was unsuccessful. On the 5 February a popular Czech singer, Karel Gott, indicated he would be interested in standing if direct popular election was introduced. Following his defeat in the first round of the second ballot Social Democrat Milos Zeman announced he would not run in a third ballot. However the leader of the opposition Civic Democrats, Mirek Topolánek, restated his party's support for Václav Klaus on the 3 February and called for a new election date to be set.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-97254760.html https://web.archive.org/web/20150924165639/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-97254760.html usurped 24 September 2015 Czech Republic: Czech opposition party demands date for presidential election. 5 February 2003 Info Prod Research HighBeam Research subscription Middle East 20 June 2012 The Speaker Lubomír Zaorálek said on the 7 February that the third ballot would be held on the 28 February.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71564603.html https://web.archive.org/web/20150924181742/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71564603.html usurped 24 September 2015 Lawmakers will make third attempt to choose Havel successor 7 February 2003 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription AP Worldstream 20 June 2012 Third ballot thumb|Václav Klaus was elected on the third vote of the third ballot Since the failed second ballot the 3 parties in the governing coalition, the Social Democrats, Christian Democrats and Freedom Union, had held talks in an attempt to agree on a candidate.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71873776.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160307214108/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71873776.html usurped 7 March 2016 Ruling coalition names presidential candidate to replace Vaclav Havel 19 February 2003 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription AP Worldstream 20 June 2012 On the 19 February 2003 the 3 parties nominated Jan Sokol, the Dean of Charles University in Prague, who formerly had for a short time been education minister in a caretaker government. Sokol had been unanimously backed by the 63 Social Democratic deputies present at a party meeting earlier and if all the legislators from the governing coalition backed Sokol they would be able to elect him as president. By the 25 February a total of 97 legislators from the governing coalition in the Chamber of Deputies signed a declaration to officially nominate Sokol.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-72065205.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160314070142/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-72065205.html usurped 14 March 2016 Ruling coalition fields joint candidate in third attempt to replace Havel Janicek Karel 25 February 2003 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription AP Worldstream 20 June 2012 At the third ballot on the 28 February 2003, Václav Klaus led on the first 2 votes against Jan Sokol, but failed to reach the necessary majority, as deputies voted in favour of Klaus, but senators favored Sokol.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-72142930.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160319214739/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-72142930.html usurped 19 March 2016 Vaclav Klaus Is Elected Czech President Janicek Karel 28 February 2003 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription AP Online 20 June 2012 However, on the third vote Klaus won the support of 142 legislators, narrowly achieving the necessary 141 votes to defeat Sokol who won 124 votes, while 14 legislators abstained and one was absent. Decisive was the support of members of the Communist Party and of a group of rebels from the governing coalition that refused to support Sokol.http://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/news-of-radio-prague-740 News Radio Prague 16 August 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120924062357/http://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/news-of-radio-prague-740 24 September 2012 dead Klaus was sworn in as president on the 8 March.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1751024.html https://archive.today/20130125130924/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1751024.html usurped 25 January 2013 Klaus takes over from Vaclav Havel 8 March 2003 The Independent HighBeam Research subscription 20 June 2012 Round Václav Klaus Jan Sokol Deputies Senators Deputies Senators 1st 115 32 81 47 147 128 2nd 109 30 83 46 139 129 3rd 109 33 78 46 142 124 Aftermath After the election the Prime Minister Vladimír Špidla called a vote of confidence, as the coalition had failed to elect the candidate they had backed.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-72476349.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160325040329/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-72476349.html usurped 25 March 2016 Czech government survives vote of confidence Rybarova Nadia 11 March 2003 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription AP Worldstream 20 June 2012 This showed that some legislators from the coalition must have voted for Klaus, however the government won a vote of confidence on the 11 March after all 101 government deputies voted in favour in the 200 member Chamber of Deputies, while the whole opposition voted against. Spidla then fired the minister of trade and industry, Jiri Rusnok, due to "personal differences", but Rusnok said he thought it was because he had backed Klaus in the presidential vote.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-72532183.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160308233816/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-72532183.html usurped 8 March 2016 Czech premier fires minister of trade and industry Janicek Karel 13 March 2003 Associated Press HighBeam Research subscription AP Worldstream 20 June 2012 Klaus was elected for second term in 2008 and left the office in 2013 when he wasn't eligible to reelection. He endorsed his former rival Miloš Zeman during 2013 presidential election.Klaus podpořil Miloše Zemana na Hrad https://www.novinky.cz/domaci/280725-klaus-podporil-milose-zemana-na-hrad.html Novinky.cz 22 May 2017 cs Zeman previously endorsed Klaus during 2008 presidential election.Zeman chce na Hradě dál Klause https://zpravy.aktualne.cz/domaci/politika/zeman-chce-na-hrade-dal-klause/r~i:article:506903/ Aktuálně.cz 22 May 2017 cs 18 September 2007 Zeman's defeat is considered to have strong impact on Czech politics. It is stated that he distanced himself from ČSSD since the election.Zrádce omlouvá vlastní zradu, vrací Zeman úder Sobotkovi http://www.tyden.cz/rubriky/domaci/politika/zradce-omlouva-vlastni-zradu-vraci-zeman-uder-sobotkovi_335641.html Týden 22 May 2017 8 March 2015 cs He later left the party and founded Party of Civic Rights (SPO). He became SPO's presidential candidate in 2013 presidential election and became first directly elected Czech president. His presidency is influenced by his conflicts with leadership of ČSSD.Zeman a Babiš jsou na stejné vlně, škodí ČSSD, míní Chovanec http://echo24.cz/a/wzpXu/zeman-a-babis-jsou-na-stejne-vlne-skodi-cssd-mini-chovanec Echo24 22 May 2017 cs 5 November 2016ČSSD uvažuje o vlastním kandidátovi na Hrad https://www.novinky.cz/domaci/437929-cssd-uvazuje-o-vlastnim-kandidatovi-na-hrad.html Novinky.cz 22 May 2017 cs References Presidential election Presidential election Czech presidential election, 2003 2003 Czech presidential election Czech presidential election