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Current AffairsConstitutional crisis looms as MPs, senators argue over secret ballot
We’ve been talking all week about Friday’s presidential election, when
Czech American economist Jan Švejnar will challenge incumbent Václav
Klaus for the post. But with hours to go until MPs and senators gather at
Prague Castle, a dispute over how to elect the president is threatening to
overshadow the entire process, with some talking of a looming
constitutional crisis.
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Current AffairsControversy at the eleventh hour: some deputies propose electing president by acclamation
On February 8th the two houses of Parliament will convene to elect a new
head of state and the days leading up to the vote are marked by increased
tension on the Czech political scene as deputies and senators make up their
minds who they are going to support – the current president Václav Klaus
or his sole rival, Czech-American economics professor Jan Švejnar.
Moreover political parties are now caught up in a heated debate as to
whether the vote should take place by secret ballot or by the open raising
of hands.
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Current AffairsChristian Democrat leadership recommends lawmakers vote for Klaus
Less than a month before the Czech presidential election, incumbent Václav
Klaus has received backing which could see him successfully clinch a second
term. The boost came on Monday when the leadership of the Christian
Democrats recommended its lawmakers support the incumbent rather than his
rival, the US-based economist Jan Švejnar. The decision could tip the
balance: if a majority of the party’s lawmakers follow through, their
votes – together with those promised by the country’s ruling Civic
Democrats – should be enough to secure Mr Klaus a victory.
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