Guide to Political Parties in
theCzech Parliamentary Elections

This information was compiled by Steve Kettle as an OMRI Analytical Brief (Vol. 1, No. 115, 15 May 1996).

Of the 20 parties on the ballot (a complete list has been compiled), the following seven parties are expected to have a chance of winning parliamentary seats in the Czech elections on 31 May and 1 June:

CIVIC DEMOCRATIC PARTY (ODS)

The dominant force in the coalition that has governed the Czech Republic since July 1992. Led by Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus, whose right-wing ideology is tempered by pragmatism when actually applying policies. Despite increasing dissatisfaction with its conduct of social affairs, and signs that the party is tired and not as united as it tries to appear, the ODS will certainly remain the strongest party in the parliament and government. Since the last elections, it has absorbed the small Christian Democratic Party (KDS). The ODS will regard gaining anything less than 30% of the total vote as a failure.

CIVIC DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE (ODA)

Similar to the ODS but more radical in its advocacy of tax cuts and less government involvement in social spheres. Led by Deputy Prime Minister Jan Kalvoda, who has tried to establish the ODA's individual identity through repeated public clashes with the ODS. The ODA has few members and lacks a countrywide organization; its appeal is mainly to young professionals and to voters dissatisfied with the ODS. The latter should ensure that it gains the 5% of the total vote needed for parliamentary representation, but it remains unclear how much higher the party can push its support. In Trade and Industry Minister Vladimir Dlouhy, the ODA has the country's consistently most popular politician.

CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION-CZECHOSLOVAK PEOPLE'S PARTY (KDU-CSL)

The third coalition party, with a solid membership base of committed Catholics. Strongest in the rural areas of South Moravia. Led by Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister Josef Lux, whose increasingly astute political skills could leave him in the role of kingmaker after the elections. More centrist than the other two coalition parties in social affairs, but an advocate of a stronger clampdown on crime. The KDU-CSL's religious orientation limits its voter appeal, but it is the bridge between left and right in the Czech political spectrum.

SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY (CSSD)

The main opposition, and almost certain to become the second largest party in the next parliament - but without the allies needed to create an alternative coalition. Led by Milos Zeman, who claims the party follows Western European-style Social Democratic principles. The CSSD has benefited from increasing concerns about health, education and pensions, but lacks a core of experienced and trusted leaders. CSSD deputy chairperson Petra Buzkova, the party's election leader in Prague, is likely to emerge as one of very few senior women politicians in the Czech Republic.

COMMUNIST PARTY OF BOHEMIA AND MORAVIA (KSCM)

The basically unreformed successor to the former ruling Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. Led by Miroslav Grebenicek. The KSCM has committed support and may win up to 10% of the total vote. But most of its members are of pension age and its old-style policies have little appeal to young voters. The Social Democrats and all other significant parties refuse to work with the KSCM, leaving it as an isolated opposition party with little influence, not as a focal point for rallying dissatisfaction with the government.

ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC-CZECHOSLOVAK REPUBLICAN PARTY (SPR-RSC)

Also a pariah for the mainstream parties because of its racist and xenophobic stance. While the extreme-right Republicans in general are regarded as a blot or joke on the political scene, their anti-Roma and anti-German outbursts have increasing appeal among young, uneducated males as well as solid support among some older voters. Led by Miroslav Sladek, whose quirky but effective political stunts could help increase the Republican vote to up to 10%.

LEFT BLOC

Reformed communists, the Left Bloc incorporated the KSCM in the 1992 elections but the "official" communists soon afterwards went their separate way. Led by Jaroslav Ortman. Despite strong parliamentary representation since 1992, the Bloc has failed to establish a strong voter base and its policies are not always easily identifiable. Pre-election opinion polls put it hovering around the 5% threshold. The fate of the Left Bloc will be a significant factor in the balance of the next parliament.

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