Political Institutions in Post- Communist Czechoslovakia
        
        After the demise of the Communists and the success of the opposition in Czechoslovakia in 1989, an interim government took over leadership in the country between December 1989 and June 1990. The summer of 1990 brought the first free and fair elections in Czechoslovakia since 1946. These elections resulted in the division of leadership positions between Czechs and Slovaks.  Alexander Dubcek was elected the Chairman of the Federal Assembly. Václav Havel was elected the Prime Minister.
        Another round of elections in 1992 brought more former radicals to leadership positions, such as Vaclav Klaus and Vladimir Meciar. Meciar wanted an independent Slovakia, while Klaus really had no pressing reason to hold Czechoslovakia together.  Slovakia's economy was still primarily industry-based, a remnant from Communist policies, and it had huge unemployment problems. This contrasted with the desire of the Czech leaders to become more Westernized by adding free markets and trying to join Western alliances.  In January 1993, Czechoslovakia became two independent countries, the Czech Republic in the west and Slovakia in the east.
        The two countries had to create new political institutions. The Czech Republic had most of the old institutions from the former Czechoslovakia, but it needed to be updated, and a new Constitution was written for the Czech Republic. It outlined what the President and Prime Minister's role would be, as well as how the government would be run.  The Parliament of the Czech Republic is bi-cameral; it is made up of The Chamber of Representatives(or Deputies) and the Senate.  The Chamber has 200 members, each elected by popular election to a four year term under a system of proportional representation.  The Senate was established in 1996.  It has 81 members who are elected for a six year term, although elections are held every two years when 1/3 of the senators are up for election. The President is indirectly elected by the members of both chambers of Parliament. The President serves a five year term, with a maximum of two consecutive terms allowed in office. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, although the Prime Minister is usually the leader of the Party with the majority of the seats in Parliament.
        Slovakia has a uni-cameral Parliament, called the National Council of the Slovak Republic. There are 150 members, who are elected by the citizens through proportional representation to a four year term.  The President of Slovakia is elected directly as well, and serves a five year term.  There is also a Chairman of the Government who is generally the head of the majority party in Parliament. For more information about Czech and Slovak elections, visit the following links: www.politicalresources.net/czech.htm
www.politicalresources.net/slovakia.htm www.hrad.cz/index_uk.html

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