2008 Czech presidential election

none February 2020 Czech Republic presidential 2003 Czech presidential election 2003 2013 Czech presidential election 2013 8–9 & 15 February 2008 Vaclav Klaus headshot.jpg Václav Klaus Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic) 141 56% Jan Švejnar cropped.jpg Jan Švejnar Czech Social Democratic Party 111 44% President Václav Klaus Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic) Václav Klaus Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic) Indirect presidential elections were held in the Czech Republic on 8–9 February 2008, in which the President was elected by the Parliament.Czech presidential election to start on February 8 – Europe http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/news/article_1379371.php https://archive.today/20120712172833/http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/news/article_1379371.php dead 12 July 2012 20 February 2008 2008 The candidates standing for election were the incumbent president Václav Klaus and University of Michigan Professor Jan Švejnar. "U-M professor Svejnar still in running for Czech presidency", Ann Arbor News quoting AP, September 2008. Accessed: 19 July 2008. When no winner emerged on the first ballot, another ballot was held on 15 February 2008, with Klaus narrowly elected for a second term. Electoral system President of the Czech Republic #Electoral procedure The indirect election could be held over a maximum of three rounds, with progressively less strict requirements for election.Czech Republic – Constitution, Article 58Boruda, Ondřej: Presidential Election 2008, The Prague Post 6 February 2008 There were several differences between the 2008 election and previous elections: Compared to the 2003 election, the balance of power between the two chambers of parliament had switched; Klaus's party had an absolute majority in the Senate, supported by pro-Klaus senators from smaller parties. Klaus likely to beat Svejnar in Czech presidential contest ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=287113 20 February 2008 2008 For the first time there were only two candidates, so there was no elimination between the first and second rounds. Due to absences of MPs, the electoral quorum was reduced to 140.Janicek, Karel: U-M prof loses bid for president of Czech Republic. The Associated Press 15 February 2008 Background Klaus was nominated for the second term by the 122 MPs and senators belonging to his Civic Democratic Party on 28 November 2007. Jan Švejnar, a US-based economist originally from the Czech Republic, stated that he would announce in early December whether he would run against Klaus, with the support of former president Václav Havel, the Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) and the Green Party, as well as the Senate caucuses of the Association of Independent Lists (SNK) and Open Democracy, which brought together independent and liberal senators from a range of small parties. The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia was also considering supporting him. The Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU–ČSL) were unable to unite on a candidate, and remained undecided even after holding talks with Klaus. However, along with ČSSD and the Green Party, they supported a constitutional amendment to replace the indirect presidential elections with direct elections, though this only applied from the next election in 2013. Most analysts assumed that Klaus would win re-election. KSČM was due to decide on 7 December 2007 whether to support Švejnar, and ČSSD said they required substantial cross-party support for his candidacy by 8 December 2007 to declare their full endorsement. However, KSČM interrupted the discussions supporting Švejnar on 7 December 2007, seeking reassurances from ČSSD that they would indeed support Švejnar, fearing that their support for Švejnar would be weakened if ČSSD were not united in his support. Both Klaus and Švejnar vied for the support of KDU–ČSL.MfD: Klaus, Švejnar argue over historical role, Prague Daily Monitor 5 December 2007 Švejnar announced on 8 December 2007 that his candidacy was still active, and that he would decide whether to run in the coming week, depending on the outcome of talks with major parties. On 11 December 2007 the press reported that Švejnar had obtained the support of five analysts and experts to assist him in his presidential bid. KSČM announced five conditions necessary for them to support a candidate, and said that both of the candidates fulfilled some of the conditions. They said that Švejnar should renounce his US citizenship, Communists want Švejnar to give up US citizenship Prague Daily Monitor 20 September 2007 http://www.praguemonitor.com/en/238/czech_politics/16258/ https://web.archive.org/web/20071223145505/http://www.praguemonitor.com/en/238/czech_politics/16258/ 23 December 2007 20 February 2008 which he later pledged to do if elected. Svejnar to give up U.S. citizenship if elected Czech president ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=293286 20 February 2008 2008 ČSSD announced their official support for Švejnar on 15 December 2007. As the president was to be elected by an absolute majority of MPs and senators, Klaus only needed 19 votes from other parties to win re-election.Czech lawmakers nominate Klaus for second presidential term EUbusiness.com http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1196260324.18 20 March 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080213045348/http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1196260324.18 13 February 2008 dead A public opinion poll in mid-December indicated that Švejnar had gained in popularity and was tied with Klaus. Popularity of Czech presidential candidate equal to Klaus's – poll ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=288055 20 February 2008 While it was still uncertain whether Švejnar would run, a serious and emotional debate between Klaus and Švejnar over who contributed more to the economic reforms at the start of the 1990s was interpreted by analysts as a sign that Švejnar did indeed intend to run. By 12 December 2007, he announced that he had gathered the necessary ten signatures from MPs or senators required to run for president; among those nominating him were Senate deputy chairman Petr Pithart (KDU–ČSL), head of the ČSSD senators' group Alena Gajdušková, and Soňa Paukertová, head of the Caucus of Open Democracy in the Senate. Švejnar proposed a public debate with Klaus, which Klaus refused on the grounds that he did not need the publicity and that it would only help Švejnar. His decision was strongly criticised by ČSSD. According to polls, 43% preferred Klaus as president, while 28% preferred Švejnar and 29% were undecided.Czech President Klaus Has Popular Support Angus Reid Global Monitor http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/29336/ https://archive.today/20120723083553/http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/29336/ usurped 23 July 2012 20 March 2008 14 December 2007 Former foreign minister Jiří Dienstbier was also suggested by some Social Democrats and Communists as a possible anti-Klaus candidate. ČSSD reportedly considered various options to ensure that none of their MPs voted for Klaus against the party line, such as conducting an open ballot, making MPs vote in pairs, or asking MPs to take photos with their mobile phones as proof of their votes. Czech CSSD to use mobile phones while electing president ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=288607 20 February 2008 Former president Václav Havel endorsed Švejnar on 1 January 2008. Former Czech president Havel supports Svejnar replacing Klaus ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=289079 20 February 2008 2008 There were rumours that KDU–ČSL offered their support to Klaus in exchange for the re-appointment of Jiří Čunek as a government minister. Foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg stated unequivocally that he would resign if Čunek joined the government again after his resignation in late 2007, and the Greens also stated their opposition. Czech minister warns against ODS, KDU's Cunek for Klaus swap ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=289211 20 February 2008 2008 KSČM indicated that they would support Švejnar in the first round to ensure Klaus was not the only candidate to progress to the second round, but said they had not officially decided who to support in later rounds. KSCM to back Czech presidential candidate Svejnar in first round ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=290136 20 February 2008 2008 According to polls from early January 2008, Švejnar would have beaten Klaus in a direct election by 52% to 48%. Czechs slightly prefer Svejnar to Klaus – poll ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=290639 20 February 2008 2008 Polls from late January 2008 saw Švejnar increase his lead to 55% against Klaus's 45%. Svejnar widening his lead in popularity among Czechs – poll ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=294022 20 February 2008 Other polls favored Klaus in a direct election. According to Palacký University, Klaus would have won 51% to Švejnar's 49. According to Median, Klaus would have won 59% of the vote. The credibility of the polls was questioned when it was revealed that some had been conducted at the request of politicians.Průzkumy před volbou: vítězí Klaus i Švejnar http://www.tyden.cz/rubriky/domaci/pruzkumy-pred-volbou-vitezi-klaus-i-svejnar_41769.html TÝDEN.cz 26 December 2016 31 January 2008 According to questions asked by Mladá fronta Dnes, Klaus and Švejnar differed most on two points: Švejnar was in favor of introducing the Euro as quickly as possible and moving to direct presidential elections, while Klaus was against both. MfD: Klaus, Švejnar share many views Prague Daily Monitor 21 January 2008 http://www.praguemonitor.com/en/255/czech_politics/17404/ https://web.archive.org/web/20080129185105/http://www.praguemonitor.com/en/255/czech_politics/17404/ 29 January 2008 20 February 2008 The candidates also differed in their views on the economic transformation of the country after the Velvet Revolution, and on environmental issues.October 2025 All parties except ODS agreed that the vote should be held publicly by acclamation (which ODS had a majority to decide in the lower house), threatening to block the third round if the joint session could not agree on the election method. Czech Communists to push for public presidential election http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=295605 ČeskéNoviny.cz 7 February 2008 9 October 2009 A survey found that over two-thirds of Czechs were in favour of public elections.Czechs Would Choose President by Popular Vote: Angus Reid Global Monitor http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/29866/ https://archive.today/20120717162717/http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/29866/ usurped 17 July 2012 20 February 2008 12 February 2008 Parties in parliament PartyChamber of DeputiesSenate Endorsed candidate Civic Democratic Party (ODS) 81 200 Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic) 41 81 Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic) Václav Klaus Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) 72 200 ČSSD 13 81 ČSSD Jan Švejnar Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM) 26 200 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia 3 81 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia Jana Bobošíková Christian and Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU-ČSL) 13 200 Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party 11 81 Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party Václav Klaus Green Party (SZ) 6 200 Green Party (Czech Republic) 1 81 Green Party (Czech Republic) Jan Švejnar SNK European Democrats (SNK ED) 0 200 #FFCB03 7 81 #FFCB03 Jan Švejnar Freedom Union – Democratic Union (US-DEU) 0 200 #228b22 1 81 #228b22 Jan Švejnar Independents 2 200 #A9A9A9 4 81 #A9A9A9 Candidates and party support Name Party Occupation Note 75px Jana Bobošíková KSČM MEPJournalist Nominated by KSČM at the second election. 75px Václav Klaus ODS Incumbent PresidentFormer leader of ODSFormer Prime Minister Incumbent president running for a second term. 75px Jan Švejnar ČSSD, SZ Economist Announced his candidacy on 14 December 2007. ODS and KDU-ČSL supported Klaus.Šídlo Jindřich Lidovci jsou pro Klause http://archiv.ihned.cz/c1-22761470-lidovci-jsou-pro-klause Hospodářské noviny 28 March 2017 cs-CZ 15 January 2008 The Czech Social Democratic Party, the Green Party, the Caucus SNK and the Caucus of Open Democracy supported Švejnar. Social Democrats to support US-based economist Svejnar in Czech presidential vote International Herald Tribune http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/15/europe/EU-POL-Czech-Presidential-Elections.php 20 February 2008 15 December 2007 KSČM was divided over whether to support Švejnar or Klaus; about half of the party's 26 deputies and three senators favored Klaus, and the other half Švejnar. Three well-known Czech political analysts rated the chances of Klaus and Švejnar at 60–40, 70–30 and 95–5, respectively. Experts say Klaus' chance bigger week ahead of presidential poll ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=294364 20 February 2008 Opinion polls Opinion polling for the 2008 Czech presidential election Results 350px|thumb|Joint session of the Parliament of the Czech Republic electing the President. First attempt (8–9 February) The joint session started on 8 February 2008 at 10 a.m. Czech Chamber, Senate start session to elect new president ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=295650 20 February 2008 2008 As predicted, the vote was delayed by a long debate on the election method, but after six hours it was agreed to hold an open ballot. Procedure dispute puts Czech presidential election on hold http://earthtimes.org/articles/show/184578.html 20 February 2008 2008 After two rounds of voting, the session was adjourned at 9 p.m as previously agreed, and the election was postponed to the next day, when the results of the second vote held on the first day were also announced. 142 for Klaus, 135 for Svejnar in 2nd round of Czech elections ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=295847 20 February 2008 2008 Prior to the third round of voting, three lawmakers left the joint session due to health issues: ČSSD deputy Evžen Snítilý and KDU-ČSL senators Josef Kalbáč and Karel Barták. Another Czech lawmaker out of presidential election ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=295868 20 February 2008 2008 Snítilý was thought to be in favour of Švejnar, but supported Klaus in the second election on 15 February and was later expelled from the Social Democrat group, while both Kalbáč and Barták supported Klaus. The third round also failed to produce a winner; the Communists abstained instead of voting for Švejnar, but Klaus fell one vote short of a majority of 140 of the 278 lawmakers present.Xinhua: Czech lawmakers fail to elect new president Round Václav Klaus Jan Švejnar Deputies Senators Deputies Senators 1st 92 47 106 32 139 138 2nd 94 48 104 31 142 135 3rd 92 47 81 32 139 113 Second attempt (15 February) The date for the second election was set for 15 February 2008. The second election also allowed for three rounds, with the same rules as the first election, and both candidates ran again. In the second election, KSČM proposed an additional candidate: MEP and former TV news presenter Jana Bobošíková, known as an outspoken critic of the EU and the planned US missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic. Czech Communists name EU parliament deputy as presidential candidate International Herald Tribune http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/12/europe/EU-POL-Czech-Presidential-Elections.php 20 February 2008 2008 The three nominees were Švejnar, Klaus and Bobošíková. Bobošíková was nominated by 17 KSČM deputies, but the Communists indicated that they would be inclined to support Švejnar under certain conditions. Czech MEP sees her chance of being elected president as small ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=296670 20 February 2008 2008 Czech Communists have three conditions for supporting Svejnar ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=296569 20 February 2008 2008 Klaus's chances of reelection were boosted when Snítilý announced that he would vote for Klaus prior to the session. Klaus's election chances grow, Czech MP Snítilý will support him ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=296996 20 February 2008 2008 In his address on 15 February 2008 before the joint session of parliament, Klaus unexpectedly declared that he supported holding the presidential election as a public ballot, and not a secret ballot as he had demanded before. Czech president in favor of public presidential election ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=297023 20 February 2008 2008 Klaus's speech was also significantly more nationalist and eurosceptic than the previous week. This was interpreted as a sign that he knew he had the votes to win and no longer needed to moderate his words. Bobošíková withdrew her candidacy shortly after the debate and before the first round of voting, citing a lack of support. Bobosikova withdraws Czech presidential candidacy ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=297082 20 February 2008 2008 The Communists then said they would use the same strategy as in the first election, supporting Švejnar in the first and second rounds, but abstaining in the third, thus attempting again to prevent the session from electing a president. Czech Communists seek three-round presidential election ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=297094 20 February 2008 2008 After further debate on the method of voting, ODS agreed to hold the vote again with a public ballot. Czech Civic Democrats accept open presidential election ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=297098 20 February 2008 2008 Green MP Olga Zubová was absent from the session for health reasons. Communists, Social Democrats at odds over Czech presidential election ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=297113 20 February 2008 2008 In the first round of voting, Klaus received 141 votes, just enough for his reelection in the third round. MPs do not pick president in first round, Klaus, Svejnar advance ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=297121 20 February 2008 2008 The second round saw similar results, but also a drop in support for Švejnar from the Communists. Czech MPs elect no president in 2nd round, Klaus, Svejnar advance ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=297134 20 February 2008 2008 Prior to the third round, it was reported that the Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Džamila Stehlíková from the Greens was at Zubová's residence, in an attempt to convince her to attend the third round of voting to improve Švejnar's chances. Czech Greens minister leaves for ill deputy Zubova ČeskéNoviny.cz http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=297136 20 February 2008 2008 In the third round Klaus was re-elected as President of the Czech Republic. Round Václav Klaus Jan Švejnar Jana Bobošíková Deputies Senators Deputies Senators 1st 93 48104 32 retracted candidacy 141 136 2nd 93 48 94 32 141 126 3rd 93 48 141 111 References Presidential election Czech presidential election, 2008 2008 Czech presidential election Category:February 2008 elections ru:Выборы президента Чехии