The Czech Republic is a relatively new independent nation. Its structure of government includes administrative regions and executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Czech Republic Becomes Independent Nation

The Czech Republic, along with Slovakia, became an independent state on January 1, 1993. The official break-up of Czechoslovakia into its nationalistic component parts was a peaceful dissolution. Referred to as the “velvet divorce,” the split occurred due to continuous disagreements between Czech and Slovak politicians about the structure of the Czechoslovakian Federation.

Political System

The Czech Republic is a parliamentary democracy, with the seat of government centered in the capital city, Prague. The country celebrates its independence on January 1 and Czech Founding Day on October 28. Ratification of the Czech constitution occurred on December 16, 1992, and the document became effective on January 1, 1993. The constitution allows for universal suffrage at 18 years of age.

The independent Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004.

Administrative Regions

The Czech Republic consists of 13 administrative districts and one capital city:

• Prague (Hlavní mesto Praha)
• Central Bohemian Region (Stredocesky Kraj)
• Hradec Kralove Region (Kralovehradecky Kraj)
• Karlovy Vary Region (Karlovarsky Kraj)
• Liberec Region (Liberecky Kraj)
• Moravian-Silesian Region (Moravskoslezsky Kraj)
• Olomouc Region (Olomoucky Kraj)
• Pardubice Region (Pardubicky Kraj)
• Plzen Region (Plzensky Kraj)
• South Bohemian Region (Jihocesky Kraj)
• South Moravian Region (Jihomoravsky Kraj)
• Usti nad Labem Region (Ustecky Kraj)
• Vysocina Region (Vysocina)
• Zin Region (Zlinsky Kraj)

Executive Branch

The President is the Czech Republic’s chief of state. This person is elected by Parliament to a five year term, and is eligible for a second term. Vaclav Klaus, the current President, was elected to the position on March 7, 2003.

The head of government is the Prime Minister, appointed by the President. Mirek Topolanek, the current Prime Minister, began his official duties on January 7, 2007. His four Deputy Prime Ministers are (as of January 9, 2007): Petr Necas, Jiri Cunek, Martin Bursik, and Alexandr Vondra.

A cabinet of ministers is appointed by the president based upon the recommendations of the prime minister.

Legislative Branch

The Czech Parliament is a bicameral body consisting of the 81-seat Senate and the 200-seat Chamber of Deputies (Poslanecka Snemovna). Members of the Senate are elected by popular vote to serve six year terms. One-third of the Senate is elected every two year.s Chamber of Deputies members are elected by popular vote to serve four year terms.

The current structure of the Senate, by political party is (number of seats):

• Civic Democratic Party (ODS) 41
• Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD) 12
• Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU-CSL) 11
• Others 15
• Independents 2

The Chamber of Deputies is comprised of the following parties (number of seats):

• Civic Democratic Party (ODS) 81
• Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD) 74
• Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM) 26
• Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU-CSL) 13
• Greens 6

Judicial Branch

The country’s judicial branch consists of the Supreme and Constitutional Courts. The chairman and deputy chairmen are appointed by the president for 10 year terms.

Legal System

The Czech civil law system is based upon Austro-Hungarian codes. The country has not accepted compulsory International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction. The legal code has been modified to function with Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) obligations.

References

Barrientos, Miguel. Index Mundi. 2007.

Barta, Phil. “Czechoslovakia’s ‘Velvet Divorce’. Okno Group East/West Letter. Vol. 1, No. 4. Fall 1992.

The Official Website of the Czech Republic