By Ben Kopp
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe
PRAGUE, Czech Republic – Following an inconclusive election, political parties in the Czech Republic will soon hold negotiations to form a new coalition government to replace the coalition taken down by corruption last June.
In June 2013, allegations of corruption, espionage, and abuse of power broke down the governing Czech coalition, led by Prime Minister Petr Necas. At that time, Necas had an affair with a close aide, who authorities arrested on suspicion of bribery and ordering an intelligence agency to follow Necas’ wife.
Without a proper administration in the coalition’s place, in July 2013, Czech President Milos Zeman angered parties when he created a caretaker cabinet of technocrats to govern the country.
The 25-26 October 2013 election placed the Social Democrats on top. But with only 20% of the vote, the Social Democrats are not powerful enough to form a government on their own. Although the election was meant to resolve months of uncertainty, analysts say the failure to produce a clear winner could lead to another unstable coalition.
Since the 1989 “Velvet Revolution” marked the fall of Communism, Czechs have used the ballot against established parties stained by corruption. The recent election sought a way to reverse the previous administration’s austerity policies, which fueled the longest recession in the country’s history.
Prague resident Petr Janecek said he voted for the new party ANO “because I think that the Czech political scene needs some changes.”
The Czech people join a list of European countries that have toppled established political parties due to austerity measures in recent years.
The centre-right parties removed from power in June suffered a massive defeat.
Social Democrat leader Bohuslay Sobotka stated that he was ready to begin negotiations with all parties, even though the election results were “not what we expected.” On 27 October, Sobotka put sights on new centrist party ANO, which mustered votes on their anti-corruption platform, and the Christian Democrats, a traditional small centrist party.
In the 200-member lower house, the Social Democrats won 50 seats, ANO 47 seats, and the Christian Democrats 14 seats.
If talks last several months, the country will likely begin 2014 with a provisional budget, which limits spending to 2013 levels.
President Zeman holds the right to appoint prime ministers, and will play a critical role in negotiations. While parliament convenes on 25 November 2013, Zemen expected the establishment of a new government to take between two and three months.
To prevent long-term damage, the Czech Republic will need a firm government that lifts the people’s trust and brightens investors’ projections.
For further information, please see:
Reuters – Czech Social Democrats Look to Protest Party to Form Government – October 27, 2013
BBC News – Czech Election: Social Democrats Lead but No Clear Winner – October 26, 2013
RadioFreeEurope RadioLiberty – Center-Left Party First in Czech Elections – October 26, 2013
Bloomberg Businessweek – Czechs Vote as Social Democrats Pledge U-Turn on Austerity (2) – October 25, 2013
