The First Direct Presidential Election

JAN 01 2013 · 12:00

Miloš Zeman in March 2013, weeks after winning the first direct presidential election. The runoff against Schwarzenberg turned bitter; the office turned populist. Place: polling stations across the Czech Republic · Hradčany Square, Prague Castle Figures: Miloš Zeman, former prime minister · Karel Schwarzenberg, foreign minister and runoff opponent · Václav Klaus, outgoing president Since 1918, the Czech (and Czechoslovak) presidency had been elected by parliament. Masaryk, Beneš, Gottwald, Novotný, Svoboda, Husák, Havel, Klaus, all chosen by deputies and senators in a joint session. A constitutional amendment in February 2012, passed by a broad coalition, transfers the choice to the voters. The first direct election is held in two rounds, January 11 and 12, then January 25 and 26. Nine candidates run in the first round. Miloš Zeman, founder of the Czech Social Democratic Party and prime minister 1998 to 2002, wins it with twenty-four percent. Karel Schwarzenberg, foreign minister, prince, eulogist of Havel a year before, comes second with twenty-three. The runoff is set.