- Czech legislative election, 2006
-
Czech legislative election, 2006 
2002 ← 2 and 3 June 2006 → 2010 All 200 seats to the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic
101 seats were needed for a majorityFirst party Second party 
Leader Mirek Topolánek Jiří Paroubek Party ODS ČSSD Last election 58 seats 70 seats Seats won 81 74 Seat change +23 +4 Popular vote 1,892,475 1,728,827 Percentage 35.28% 32.32%
PM before election
Elected PM
Parliamentary elections were held in the Czech Republic on 2 and 3 June 2006.[1]
The pre-election campaign was fierce and mostly negative. A major scandal broke out few days before the election. The two largest parties had profited from the divisive campaign – both had obtained the highest percentage of votes ever. Turnout of otherwise apathetic Czech voters was increased, compared to previous parliament election.
The election has produced an evenly balanced result. One potential coalition – the Civic Democratics (ODS), Christian Democrats (KDU-ČSL) and Greens (SZ) – took 100 seats, exactly half. The Social Democrats (ČSSD) and Communists (KSČM) comprised the other half of the chamber, making the possibility of a minority Social Democratic government supported by the Communists equally problematic.
The Civic Democrats, Christian Democrats and Greens finally gained confidence on 19 January 2007 (230 days after the elections), thanks to two social democratic deputies who abstained, thus effectively choosing a right-wing government rather than the unstable situation ongoing since the June 2006 elections.
Campaign
Several weeks before the election police officer Jan Kubice, head of the squad for uncovering organised crime, hinted that highest members of police and the government were trying to cover up their cooperation with organised crime. He was summoned before parliament commission few days before the election where he presented a document; contents of the document immediately leaked out.
The document suggested that former prime minister Stanislav Gross had a connection with criminal underground and hinted that prime minister Jiří Paroubek was indirectly involved in a murder, deals with the mafia and is a pedophile. It also contained information about minor officials, some already imprisoned for suspicions of bribery.[2][3]
Paroubek and the others denied these claims and accused the opposition (ODS) of trying to manufacture a scandal to avoid election failure. After the election Paroubek said that the allegations cost his party (ČSSD) victory and that democracy was in as much danger as in 1948 (when the Communists seized power). Initially, he planned to challenge the election result.[4]
Chamber of Deputies
The Chamber of Deputies consists of 200 members elected for a four year term. Seats are allocated by proportional representation amongst those lists which have gained at least 5% of the national total of valid votes cast.
Party lists are presented in 14 regions. Votes are cast for a list but voters are allowed up to two preference votes for candidates on that list.
The Czech Republic has a parliamentary system of government, with ministers being responsible to the Chamber of Deputies. The Chamber is the most powerful organ of the state with power to override vetoes by the President and the Senate.
Results
The election produced a deadlock, leaving the all the coalitions which were considered likely before the election (Civic Democrats (ODS), Christian Democrats (KDU-ČSL) and Greens (SZ); Social Democrats (ČSSD) and Communists (KSČM); Social Democrats, Christian Democrats, and Greens) with less than the 101 votes necessary to pass legislation or to sustain the required confidence vote for the new cabinet in the Chamber of Deputies (100, 100 and 93 votes, respectively).
Possibilities at this point include a highly improbable grand coalition of the Civic Democrats and Social Democrats, which would command a powerful majority, adding up to 155 seats against 45; a minority cabinet of either of the 100-vote coalitions, which would have to be at least partly negotiated with the would-be opposition to get the majority required to approve it and pass any legislation; or a new call for fresh elections.
On 26 June, ODS, KDU-ČSL and SZ announced, that they had agreed on a coalition. Their government is expected to have 16 ministers: 10 from ODS, 3 from KDU-ČSL and 3 from SZ.
The coalition hoped to get the missing vote from ČSSD deputies. ČSSD, on the other hand, suggested to elect a temporary government until, new, premature election is hold. As of July 2006, the election of the chairman of the parliament is not concluded, blocking installation and then vote of confidence for the new government.
Major parties politicians had hinted the possibility to repeat the election, earliest on Autumn 2006. Voices suggesting that the switch to a majority representation is a way to avoid deadlocks like current one had appeared.
The situation was resolved, however in January 2007, giving the Centre-Right coalition and Green Parties government.
Party Votes % Seats +/– Civic Democratic Party 1,892,475 35.38 81 +23 Czech Social Democratic Party 1,728,827 32.32 74 +4 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia 685,328 12.81 26 -15 Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party 386,706 7.23 13 -9 Green Party 336,487 6.29 6 +6 SNK European Democrats 111,724 2.09 0 0 Independent Democrats 36,708 0.7 0 New Independents 33,030 0.6 0 New Common Sense Party 24,828 0.5 0 0 Right Bloc 20,382 0.4 0 0 Freedom Union – Democratic Union 16,457 0.3 0 –10 Law and Justice 12,756 0.2 0 New Moravané 12,552 0.2 0 New Equal Opportunities Party 10,879 0.2 0 New National Party 9,431 0.2 0 New Coalition for the Czech Republic 8,140 0.2 0 New Koruna česká 7,293 0.1 0 New BPS 6,897 0.1 0 0 4 VIZE 3,109 0.1 0 New Czech National Social Party 1,387 0.0 0 0 HOB 1,375 0.0 0 New Humanist Party 857 0.0 0 New Folklore and Society 574 0.0 0 New Czech Right 395 0.0 0 0 Liberal Reform Party 253 0.0 0 New National Unity 216 0.0 0 New Invalid/blank votes 19,519 – – – Total 5,368,495 100 200 0 Source: Nohlen & Stöver Results by regions
Prague
Votes % Seats Civic Democratic Party (Občanská demokratická strana) 317,224 48.3 14 Czech Social Democratic Party (Česká strana sociálně demokratická) 152,962 23.3 6 Green Party (Strana zelených) 60,384 9.2 2 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy) 51,925 7.9 2 Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (Křesťansko-demokratická unie – Československá strana lidová) 31,820 4.8 1 SNK - European Democrats (SNK Evropští demokraté) 23,386 3.6 - Total (turnout 68.5%) 656,495 25 Central Bohemian Region
Votes % Seats Civic Democratic Party (Občanská demokratická strana) 243,012 39.2 10 Czech Social Democratic Party (Česká strana sociálně demokratická) 190,607 30.7 8 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy) 79,964 12.9 2 Green Party (Strana zelených) 37,219 6.0 1 Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (Křesťansko-demokratická unie – Československá strana lidová) 30,207 4.9 1 SNK - European Democrats (SNK Evropští demokraté) 13,055 2.1 - Total (turnout 66.0%) 620,047 22 South Bohemian Region
Votes % Seats Civic Democratic Party (Občanská demokratická strana) 123 804 36.7 6 Czech Social Democratic Party (Česká strana sociálně demokratická) 102,833 30.5 4 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy) 45,099 13.4 2 Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (Křesťansko-demokratická unie – Československá strana lidová) 27,630 8.2 1 Green Party (Strana zelených) 19,924 5.9 - Total (turnout 66.0%) 620,047 13 Plzeň Region
Votes % Seats Civic Democratic Party (Občanská demokratická strana) 105,391 36.5 5 Czech Social Democratic Party (Česká strana sociálně demokratická) 91,606 31.7 4 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy) 40,578 14.0 2 Green Party (Strana zelených) 17,090 5.9 - Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (Křesťansko-demokratická unie – Československá strana lidová) 16,338 5.7 - Total (turnout 63.9%) 289,049 11 Karlovy Vary Region
Votes % Seats Civic Democratic Party (Občanská demokratická strana) 49,189 35.9 2 Czech Social Democratic Party (Česká strana sociálně demokratická) 44,887 32.7 2 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy) 20,323 14.8 1 Green Party (Strana zelených) 9,206 6.7 - Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (Křesťansko-demokratická unie – Československá strana lidová) 4,723 3.4 - Total (turnout 56.5%) 137,117 5 Ústí nad Labem Region
Votes % Seats Czech Social Democratic Party (Česká strana sociálně demokratická) 132,895 35.5 6 Civic Democratic Party (Občanská demokratická strana) 130,365 34.8 5 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy) 60,175 16.1 2 Green Party (Strana zelených) 22,616 6.0 1 Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (Křesťansko-demokratická unie – Československá strana lidová) 8,365 2.2 - Total (turnout 57.2%) 374,736 14 Liberec Region
Votes % Seats Civic Democratic Party (Občanská demokratická strana) 83,647 38.8 4 Czech Social Democratic Party (Česká strana sociálně demokratická) 63,181 29.3 3 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy) 24,823 11.5 1 Green Party (Strana zelených) 20,646 9.6 - Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (Křesťansko-demokratická unie – Československá strana lidová) 9,131 4.2 - Total (turnout 62.4%) 215,510 8 Hradec Králové Region
Votes % Seats Civic Democratic Party (Občanská demokratická strana) 111,466 37.7 5 Czech Social Democratic Party (Česká strana sociálně demokratická) 89,204 30.1 4 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy) 89,204 11.5 1 Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (Křesťansko-demokratická unie – Československá strana lidová) 19,893 6.7 1 Green Party (Strana zelených) 19,819 6.7 - SNK - European Democrats (SNK Evropští demokraté) 9,126 3.1 - Total (turnout 66.7%) 295,931 11 Pardubice Region
Votes % Seats Civic Democratic Party (Občanská demokratická strana) 91,113 33.3 4 Czech Social Democratic Party (Česká strana sociálně demokratická) 90,268 33.0 4 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy) 33,956 12.4 1 Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (Křesťansko-demokratická unie – Československá strana lidová) 24,023 8.8 1 Green Party (Strana zelených) 17,148 6.3 - SNK - European Democrats (SNK Evropští demokraté) 6,641 2.4 - Total (turnout 67.4%) 273,921 10 Vysočina Region
Votes % Seats Czech Social Democratic Party (Česká strana sociálně demokratická) 97,568 35.4 4 Civic Democratic Party (Občanská demokratická strana) 76,393 27.7 3 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy) 40,480 14.7 2 Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (Křesťansko-demokratická unie – Československá strana lidová) 33,587 12.2 1 Green Party (Strana zelených) 13,514 4.9 - SNK - European Democrats (SNK Evropští demokraté) 5,525 2.0 - Total (turnout 67.6%) 275,997 10 South Moravian Region
Votes % Seats Czech Social Democratic Party (Česká strana sociálně demokratická) 200,619 33.0 8 Civic Democratic Party (Občanská demokratická strana) 186,779 30.7 8 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy) 83,687 13.7 3 Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (Křesťansko-demokratická unie – Československá strana lidová) 67,865 11.1 3 Green Party (Strana zelených) 37,771 6.2 1 Total (turnout 65.3%) 608,804 23 Olomouc Region
Votes % Seats Czech Social Democratic Party (Česká strana sociálně demokratická) 118,334 35.4 5 Civic Democratic Party (Občanská demokratická strana) 101,151 30.3 4 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy) 49,026 14.7 2 Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (Křesťansko-demokratická unie – Československá strana lidová) 27,609 8.3 1 Green Party (Strana zelených) 18,398 5.5 - Total (turnout 64.5%) 333,849 12 Zlín Region
Votes % Seats Czech Social Democratic Party (Česká strana sociálně demokratická) 106,481 33.3 5 Civic Democratic Party (Občanská demokratická strana) 101,376 31.7 4 Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (Křesťansko-demokratická unie – Československá strana lidová) 41,663 13.0 2 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy) 35,998 11.3 1 Green Party (Strana zelených) 16,224 5.1 - Total (turnout 66.9%) 319,933 12 Moravian-Silesian Region
Votes % Seats Czech Social Democratic Party (Česká strana sociálně demokratická) 247,382 40.5 11 Civic Democratic Party (Občanská demokratická strana) 171,565 28.1 7 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy) 85,201 14.0 3 Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (Křesťansko-demokratická unie – Československá strana lidová) 43,852 7.2 1 Green Party (Strana zelených) 26,528 4.3 1 Total (turnout 61.0%) 610,200 23 Results of the previous election
Summary of the 14-15 June, 2002 Czech Chamber of Deputies election results Parties and coalitions Votes % Seats Czech Social Democratic Party 1,440,279 30.20 70 Civic Democratic Party 1,166,975 24.47 58 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia 882,653 18.51 41 Coalition (Koalice) Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party 680,671 14.27 22 Freedom Union–Democratic Union 9 Union of Independents 132,699 2.78 0 Green Party 112,929 2.36 0 Republicans of Miroslav Sládek 46,325 0.97 0 Total (turnout 58.00%) 100.00 200 Source: Czech Statistical Office References
- ^ Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p471 ISBN 9873832956097
- ^ Respekt: Last week 23/2006
- ^ idnes.cz: Ministrem vnitra bude Kubice, John ve vládě zůstane jako vicepremiér
- ^ Český rozhlas: Surprises of the June 2006 elections
External links
- Official election web site, English
- http://www.volby.cz – Official site with detailed results of all elections since 1994 in Czech and English (only for the later dates)
- Adam Carr's Election Archive
- Parties and elections
Elections and referendums in the Czech RepublicParliamentary elections Senate elections Regional elections 2000 · 2004 · 2008Municipal elections 1990 · 1994 · 1998 · 2002 · 2006 · 2010European elections Referendums See also: Elections in CzechoslovakiaCategories:- Elections in the Czech Republic
- 2006 elections in Europe
- 2006 in the Czech Republic
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