1990 Civic Forum leadership election explained

Country:Czech Republic
Type:presidential
Flag Image:OF logo.png
Ongoing:no
Election Date:13 October 1990
Candidate1:Václav Klaus
Party1:MKDP
Colour1:034EA2
Electoral Vote1:115
Percentage1:68.9%
Candidate2:Martin Palouš
Party2:MOS
Colour2:423F83
Electoral Vote2:52
Percentage2:31.1%
Leader of Civic Forum
Before Election:none

A leadership election for the Civic Forum party was held in Czechoslovakia on 13 October 1990. Václav Klaus was elected the leader of the party, defeating Martin Palouš.[1] [2] Election was held in Hostivař. Klaus received 115 votes while Palouš only 52.[3]

Background

Civic Forum was formed in 1989 as a syncretic political movement. Two major wings were formed in the party. Right-wing was represented by Václav Klaus and Miroslav Macek. Centrist wing was represented by Pavel Rychetský, Petr Pithart and Martin Palouš. People representing rightist wing within Civic Forum eventually formed Interparliamentary Club of the Democratic Right (MKDP). Centrists formed Interparliamentary Civic Association (MOS). MKDP wanted Civic Forum to become a right-wing political party while MOS wanted to prevent it.[4]

Leadership election of Civic Forum was scheduled for 13 October 1990 in Hostivař. MKDP supported Václav Klaus for the position. Martin Palouš became a candidate of MOS. Palouš was considered front-runner but Klaus was building his support in regions. Pavel Rychetský also decided to run for the position of the leader. Palouš was endorsed by the Council of Civic Forum.[5]

Candidates

Voting

CandidateVotes
Václav Klaus11568.86
Martin Palouš5231.14
Voting was held on 13 October 1990. Klaus was considered outsider in the election. Both candidates had their speech to address electors. Klaus talked about division of the movement in economical policy and stated that the future of OF should not be coming from view of limited group in the centre but should start from basis of the people below. Palouš' supporters argued that the new leader should come from people who resisted communist regime. When the vote occurred, Klaus decisively won the election when he received 115 votes to 52.[10]

Aftermath

Klaus' victory was viewed as a surprise.[11] [12] Klaus started to transform Civic Forum into a political party after his victory. This deepened conflicts with Liberal wing that transformed MOS into Liberal Club of the Civic Forum. Conflicts between both wings led to dissolution of Civic Forum in February 1991.[9] [5] It was split to Civic Democratic Party led by Václav Klaus and Civic Movement led by Jiří Dienstbier.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: CEVRO - Václav Klaus - předsednictví v datech. www.cevro.cz. 6 March 2017. cs.
  2. Web site: Jirko Dienstbiere, tohle je na pěst. Pozoruhodný příběh politika, který nechtěně dostal do sedla Klause i Zemana. Parlamentní Listy. 6 March 2017.
  3. Web site: Martin Palouš životopis. OSOBNOSTI.cz. 6 March 2017.
  4. Book: Vance. Charles. Paik. Yongsun. Managing a Global Workforce: Challenges and Opportunities in International Human Resource Management. 2006. M.E. Sharpe. 9780765620163. registration. 231. interparliamentary club of the democratic right conservative.. 22 July 2017. en.
  5. Web site: televize. Česká. OF(F). Před čtvrtstoletím se rozpadlo Občanské fórum. ČT24. 22 July 2017. cs.
  6. Web site: Nepolitická politika Občanského fóra předznamenala jeho úspěch i pád. Pražský deník. 6 March 2017. cs. 19 November 2014.
  7. Web site: Občanské demokraty čeká kongres, rozhodne o dalším směřování ODS i o osudu vlády. www.kurzy.cz. 6 March 2017. cs.
  8. Web site: Co na sebe vím VII – Divadelní noviny. www.divadelni-noviny.cz. 6 March 2017.
  9. Pšeja. Pavel. Občanské fórum jako katalysátor vývoje stranického systému ČR. Politologický Časopis. 2004. 21 July 2017.
  10. Book: Hanley. Seán. The New Right in the New Europe: Czech Transformation and Right-Wing Politics, 1989–2006. 2007. Routledge. 9781134295654. 86. 4 December 2017. en.
  11. Web site: CEVRO - Václav Klaus - předsednictví v datech . www.cevro.cz . 7 July 2020.
  12. Web site: Václav Klaus má velký podíl na současném stavu země . iDNES.cz . 7 July 2020 . 1 January 2019.

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