Senate passes bill introducing direct election of Czech president

As a result, Vaclav Klaus´s successor will be elected by people, not by parliament, in early 2013.

The amendment, which the Chamber of Deputies passed recently, was supported by 49 of 75 senators present.

It will come into force as from October 1, 2012.

Klaus, the incumbent president who previously called the introduction of direct election a fatal mistake, can change nothing about it. Unlike standard laws, constitutional laws or amendments cannot be vetoed by president.

The direct election´s advocates among MPs point out that they promised its introduction before parliamentary elections, that it has been wished by citizens and that it will prevent excesses similar to those accompanying the latest election of president by the two houses of parliament, narrowly won by Klaus.

Critics of the direct election say it would be enough to better specify the rules of the election of president by parliament. However, the parliament has failed to agree on this in the past four years.

For the direct election to take place next year, it is yet necessary to approve detailed election rules that the government has been working on.

Under the new legislation, Czech president will be elected by voters in a way similar to the Senate election, i.e. in two rounds.

A candidate for president will need support from a petition signed by 50,000 eligible voters at least, or from at least 20 deputies or 10 senators.

The direct election will be called by the Senate chairperson 90 days before the election day at the latest.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz