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Czech press survey ... of state in two rounds, while the two most successful candidates would advance to the second round, HN adds. Leaders of the government coalition parties, the senior ruling Civic Democrats (ODS), the junior Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) and the Greens (SZ), have decided to work out the legislation. So far the president has been elected by parliament at a joint session of both houses. A direct election was debated during the previous presidential polls in February, in which President Vaclav Klaus was re-elected eventually, and also five years ago when Klaus was elected head of state for the first time in the third round of the third election.
Both elections were accompanied by embarrassing disputes and delays. Politicians started discussing a direct election at the moment when it seemed that deputies and senators would not be able to agree on a presidential candidate. The parliament has not yet made an agreement on the bill on direct presidential election either. As a constitutional bill, it must be passed by three-fifths of deputies and three-fifths of senators. However, the government has only fragile majority in the Chamber of Deputies. Most recently, the Senate dealt with such a bill, submitted by unaffiliated senator Jan Hornik, last month. In addition, the senior opposition Social Democrats (CSSD) are promoting their own bill on direct presidential election. Politicians have also been considering in the long run whether the president's powers should change along with the introduction of a direct election.
(Ceske Noviny)
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