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'''Czech political crisis''' in 1997-1998 started as a result of irregularities in finances of [[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|Civic Democratic Party]] (ODS). It peaked with so-called ''Sarajevo atentate'', an attempt to remove [[Václav Klaus]] from leadership of [[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|Civic Democratic Party]]. The attempt occurred during Klaus' visit in Sarajevo.<ref name="Tzv. „sarajevský atentát“ odstartoval zatím největší politickou krizi v ČR">{{cite web|last1=televize|first1=Česká|title=Tzv. "sarajevský atentát" odstartoval zatím největší politickou krizi v ČR|url=http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/ct24/archiv/1432352-tzv-sarajevsky-atentat-odstartoval-zatim-nejvetsi-politickou-krizi-v-cr|website=ČT24|accessdate=2 July 2017|language=cs}}</ref> Crisis led to split in ODS and [[Czech legislative election, 1998|snap election in 1998]].<ref name="Podvody v ODS vedly v 1997 k rozpadu strany a nástupu ČSSD - E15.cz"/>
'''Czech political crisis''' in 1997–1998 started as a result of irregularities in finances of [[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|Civic Democratic Party]] (ODS). It peaked with so-called ''Sarajevo atentate'', an attempt to remove [[Václav Klaus]] from leadership of [[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|Civic Democratic Party]]. The attempt occurred during Klaus' visit in Sarajevo.<ref name="Tzv. „sarajevský atentát“ odstartoval zatím největší politickou krizi v ČR">{{cite web|publisher=Česká televize|title=Tzv. "sarajevský atentát" odstartoval zatím největší politickou krizi v ČR|url=http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/ct24/archiv/1432352-tzv-sarajevsky-atentat-odstartoval-zatim-nejvetsi-politickou-krizi-v-cr|website=ČT24|accessdate=2 July 2017|language=cs}}</ref> Crisis led to split in ODS and [[1998 Czech legislative election|snap election in 1998]].<ref name="Podvody v ODS vedly v 1997 k rozpadu strany a nástupu ČSSD - E15.cz"/>


==History==
==History==
[[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|Civic Democratic Party]] (ODS) led by [[Václav Klaus]] won [[Czech legislative election, 1996|1996 legislative election]] but its coalition with [[Civic Democratic Alliance]] and [[Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party]] was short of majority by one seat. Coalition then formed minority cabinet tolerated by [[Czech Social Democratic Party]]. Instability of government also worsened with economical problems of the country. Annual report of finances for 1995 showed that biggest sponsors of ODS are Lajos Bács a Radjiv M. Sinha. These names were revealed to be fictional and speculations that Milan Šrejber is the real sponsor behind these names showed up in media. Šrejber privatised [[Třinec Iron and Steel Works]]. These speculations were revealed to be true. Deputy CHairman of ODS [[Libor Novák]] accepted responsibility for the irregularities. Mladá Fronta Dnes informed on 28 November 1997 that ODS has a secret bank account in Switzerland. [[Josef Zieleniec]] then stepped down fro position of Deputy Chairman of ODS and from position of Minister of Foreign affairs.<ref name="Podvody v ODS vedly v 1997 k rozpadu strany a nástupu ČSSD - E15.cz">{{cite web|title=Podvody v ODS vedly v 1997 k rozpadu strany a nástupu ČSSD|url=http://zpravy.e15.cz/domaci/politika/podvody-v-ods-vedly-v-1997-k-rozpadu-strany-a-nastupu-cssd-935218|website=Zprávy E15.cz|accessdate=2 July 2017}}</ref>
[[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|Civic Democratic Party]] (ODS) led by [[Václav Klaus]] won [[1996 Czech legislative election|1996 legislative election]] but its coalition with [[Civic Democratic Alliance]] and [[Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party]] was short of majority by one seat. Coalition then formed minority cabinet tolerated by [[Czech Social Democratic Party]]. Instability of government also worsened with economical problems of the country. Annual report of finances for 1995 showed that biggest sponsors of ODS are Lajos Bács a Radjiv M. Sinha. These names were revealed to be fictional and speculations that Milan Šrejber is the real sponsor behind these names showed up in media. Šrejber privatised [[Třinec Iron and Steel Works]]. These speculations were revealed to be true. Deputy CHairman of ODS [[Libor Novák]] accepted responsibility for the irregularities. Mladá Fronta Dnes informed on 28 November 1997 that ODS has a secret bank account in Switzerland. [[Josef Zieleniec]] then stepped down as Deputy Chairman of ODS and from position of Minister of Foreign affairs.<ref name="Podvody v ODS vedly v 1997 k rozpadu strany a nástupu ČSSD - E15.cz">{{cite web|title=Podvody v ODS vedly v 1997 k rozpadu strany a nástupu ČSSD|url=http://zpravy.e15.cz/domaci/politika/podvody-v-ods-vedly-v-1997-k-rozpadu-strany-a-nastupu-cssd-935218|website=Zprávy E15.cz|accessdate=2 July 2017}}</ref>


[[Civic Democratic Alliance]] and [[Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party]] then left the government. Government ministers of ODS Jan Ruml and Ivan Pilip publicly appealed to [[Václav Klaus]] to step down as a leader of ODS. Klaus was at the time in Sarajevo.<ref name="Tzv. „sarajevský atentát“ odstartoval zatím největší politickou krizi v ČR"/> Klaus himself called their actions ''Sarajevo atentate'' which refereed to [[Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria]]. This helped Klaus to interpret the situation in his favor.<ref name="Sarajevo: deset let od nezdařeného atentátu">{{cite web|title=Sarajevo: deset let od nezdařeného atentátu|url=http://zpravy.idnes.cz/sarajevo-deset-let-od-nezdareneho-atentatu-f27-/domaci.aspx?c=A071127_174048_domaci_adb|website=iDNES.cz|accessdate=2 July 2017|date=29 November 2007}}</ref>
[[Civic Democratic Alliance]] and [[Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party]] then left the government. Government ministers of ODS Jan Ruml and Ivan Pilip publicly appealed to [[Václav Klaus]] to step down as a leader of ODS. Klaus was at the time in Sarajevo.<ref name="Tzv. „sarajevský atentát“ odstartoval zatím největší politickou krizi v ČR"/> Klaus himself called their actions ''Sarajevo atentate'' which referred to the [[assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria]]. This helped Klaus to interpret the situation in his favor.<ref name="Sarajevo: deset let od nezdařeného atentátu">{{cite web|title=Sarajevo: deset let od nezdařeného atentátu|url=http://zpravy.idnes.cz/sarajevo-deset-let-od-nezdareneho-atentatu-f27-/domaci.aspx?c=A071127_174048_domaci_adb|website=iDNES.cz|accessdate=2 July 2017|date=29 November 2007}}</ref>


When Klaus returned from Sarajevo, he resigned as Prime Minister. This led to appointment of interim [[Josef Tošovský's Cabinet|government]]. Klaus remained as leader of ODS.<ref name="Tzv. „sarajevský atentát“ odstartoval zatím největší politickou krizi v ČR"/> Civic Democrats held leadership election on 14 December 1997. [[Jan Ruml]] decided to run against Klaus. Klaus won by very large margin and remained leader of the Civic Democratic Party.<ref name="Volba předsedy ODS v historii: jednoznačná záležitost">{{cite web|title=Volba předsedy ODS v historii: jednoznačná záležitost|url=http://tn.nova.cz/clanek/zpravy/domaci/volba-predsedy-ods-v-historii-jednoznacna-zalezitost.html|website=TN.Nova.cz|accessdate=2 July 2017|language=cs-CZ|date=20 June 2010}}</ref>
When Klaus returned from Sarajevo, he resigned as prime minister. This led to appointment of interim [[Josef Tošovský's Cabinet|government]]. Klaus remained as leader of ODS.<ref name="Tzv. „sarajevský atentát“ odstartoval zatím největší politickou krizi v ČR"/> Civic Democrats held leadership election on 14 December 1997. [[Jan Ruml]] decided to run against Klaus. Klaus won by very large margin and remained leader of the Civic Democratic Party.<ref name="Volba předsedy ODS v historii: jednoznačná záležitost">{{cite web|title=Volba předsedy ODS v historii: jednoznačná záležitost|url=http://tn.nova.cz/clanek/zpravy/domaci/volba-predsedy-ods-v-historii-jednoznacna-zalezitost.html|website=TN.Nova.cz|accessdate=2 July 2017|language=cs|date=20 June 2010}}</ref>


Ruml's and Pilip's wing then left the party and on 17 January 1998 formed [[Freedom Union – Democratic Union|Freedom Union]] (US). US quickly became second strongest party according to polls having more than 10%. Poll by STEM had Freedom Union on 18% while Civic Democrats would receive only 8%. Remains of ODS united behind Klaus who was during campaign for snap election in June presented as the only strong leader of Czech [[Right-wing politics|right]]. ODS then received 28% during the election which was above expectations. On the other hand, received 8.6% of votes. [[Czech Social Democratic Party]] won the election but was unable to form majority government. Klaus then signed [[Opposition Agreement]] with Social Democratic leader [[Miloš Zeman]]. Zeman became the new Prime Minister supported by Civic Democrats. Klaus became Speaker of [[Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic]]. Opposition Agreement allowed ODS to participate in management of the country.<ref name="velvet">{{cite book|last=Fawn|first=Rick|title=The Czech Republic: A Nation of Velvet|url=http://www.questia.com/library/108542811/the-czech-republic-a-nation-of-velvet|year=2000|publisher=Harwood Academic|pages=70–77}}</ref><ref name="Kampaň k volbám do Poslanecké sněmovny 1998 - IPM">{{cite web|title=Kampaň k volbám do Poslanecké sněmovny 1998|url=http://politickymarketing.com/glossary/kampan-k-volbam-poslanecke-snemovny-1998|website=IPM|accessdate=2 July 2017|language=cs-CZ}}</ref>
Ruml's and Pilip's wing then left the party and on 17 January 1998 formed [[Freedom Union – Democratic Union|Freedom Union]] (US). US quickly became second strongest party according to polls having more than 10%. Poll by STEM had Freedom Union on 18% while Civic Democrats would receive only 8%. Remains of ODS united behind Klaus who was during campaign for snap election in June presented as the only strong leader of Czech [[Right-wing politics|right]]. ODS then received 28% during the election which was above expectations. On the other hand, received 8.6% of votes. [[Czech Social Democratic Party]] won the election but was unable to form majority government. Klaus then signed [[Opposition Agreement]] with Social Democratic leader [[Miloš Zeman]]. Zeman became the new prime minister supported by Civic Democrats. Klaus became Speaker of [[Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic]]. Opposition Agreement allowed ODS to participate in management of the country.<ref name="velvet">{{cite book|last=Fawn|first=Rick|title=The Czech Republic: A Nation of Velvet|url=https://www.questia.com/library/108542811/the-czech-republic-a-nation-of-velvet|year=2000|publisher=Harwood Academic|pages=70–77}}</ref><ref name="Kampaň k volbám do Poslanecké sněmovny 1998 - IPM">{{cite web|title=Kampaň k volbám do Poslanecké sněmovny 1998|url=http://politickymarketing.com/glossary/kampan-k-volbam-poslanecke-snemovny-1998|website=IPM|date=12 October 2015 |accessdate=2 July 2017|language=cs}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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{{Civic Democratic Party (ODS)}}
{{Civic Democratic Party (ODS)}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:1997-1998 Czech political crisis}}
[[Category:1997 in the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:1997 in the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:1998 in the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:1998 in the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Politics of the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Politics of the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)]]
[[Category:Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)]]
[[Category:Freedom Union – Democratic Union]]
[[Category:Government crises|Czech]]

Latest revision as of 20:58, 9 September 2024

Czech political crisis in 1997–1998 started as a result of irregularities in finances of Civic Democratic Party (ODS). It peaked with so-called Sarajevo atentate, an attempt to remove Václav Klaus from leadership of Civic Democratic Party. The attempt occurred during Klaus' visit in Sarajevo.[1] Crisis led to split in ODS and snap election in 1998.[2]

History

[edit]

Civic Democratic Party (ODS) led by Václav Klaus won 1996 legislative election but its coalition with Civic Democratic Alliance and Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party was short of majority by one seat. Coalition then formed minority cabinet tolerated by Czech Social Democratic Party. Instability of government also worsened with economical problems of the country. Annual report of finances for 1995 showed that biggest sponsors of ODS are Lajos Bács a Radjiv M. Sinha. These names were revealed to be fictional and speculations that Milan Šrejber is the real sponsor behind these names showed up in media. Šrejber privatised Třinec Iron and Steel Works. These speculations were revealed to be true. Deputy CHairman of ODS Libor Novák accepted responsibility for the irregularities. Mladá Fronta Dnes informed on 28 November 1997 that ODS has a secret bank account in Switzerland. Josef Zieleniec then stepped down as Deputy Chairman of ODS and from position of Minister of Foreign affairs.[2]

Civic Democratic Alliance and Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party then left the government. Government ministers of ODS Jan Ruml and Ivan Pilip publicly appealed to Václav Klaus to step down as a leader of ODS. Klaus was at the time in Sarajevo.[1] Klaus himself called their actions Sarajevo atentate which referred to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. This helped Klaus to interpret the situation in his favor.[3]

When Klaus returned from Sarajevo, he resigned as prime minister. This led to appointment of interim government. Klaus remained as leader of ODS.[1] Civic Democrats held leadership election on 14 December 1997. Jan Ruml decided to run against Klaus. Klaus won by very large margin and remained leader of the Civic Democratic Party.[4]

Ruml's and Pilip's wing then left the party and on 17 January 1998 formed Freedom Union (US). US quickly became second strongest party according to polls having more than 10%. Poll by STEM had Freedom Union on 18% while Civic Democrats would receive only 8%. Remains of ODS united behind Klaus who was during campaign for snap election in June presented as the only strong leader of Czech right. ODS then received 28% during the election which was above expectations. On the other hand, received 8.6% of votes. Czech Social Democratic Party won the election but was unable to form majority government. Klaus then signed Opposition Agreement with Social Democratic leader Miloš Zeman. Zeman became the new prime minister supported by Civic Democrats. Klaus became Speaker of Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic. Opposition Agreement allowed ODS to participate in management of the country.[5][6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Tzv. "sarajevský atentát" odstartoval zatím největší politickou krizi v ČR". ČT24 (in Czech). Česká televize. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Podvody v ODS vedly v 1997 k rozpadu strany a nástupu ČSSD". Zprávy E15.cz. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  3. ^ "Sarajevo: deset let od nezdařeného atentátu". iDNES.cz. 29 November 2007. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  4. ^ "Volba předsedy ODS v historii: jednoznačná záležitost". TN.Nova.cz (in Czech). 20 June 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  5. ^ Fawn, Rick (2000). The Czech Republic: A Nation of Velvet. Harwood Academic. pp. 70–77.
  6. ^ "Kampaň k volbám do Poslanecké sněmovny 1998". IPM (in Czech). 12 October 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
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