| SVU |
CZECHOSLOVAK SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES |
Senator Moserova for President
SVU Member
Senator Dr. Jaroslava Moserova, who was nominated by a cross-party coalition, and former
Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus of the opposition Civic Democratic Party, faced a second
round of voting to elect a successor to President Vaclav Havel. The lower house voted in
favor of Klaus while the Senate voted for Moserova. The results were inconclusive.
Parties leaders are to meet to discuss when -- and whether - to hold a third election.
Some politicians want to change the constitution to allow a popular vote, something which
enjoys strong public support. The country will most likely be left without a head of state
when President Havel steps down on February 2.
Senator Moserova Statement after the Vote
Dear Friends, please be patient with our Parliament in taking so much time in finding a
future Head of State for our country. It is not an easy task to replace Vaclav Havel. I am
proud of having played a positive role in the second election, which took place only six
days ago. Though I only won in the Senate and lost in the House of Representatives, I
consider my candidacy, in which I ran against two former prime ministers as an asset. I
shall not participate in the Third election, as if I should, it would again result in a
stale-mate, and that is undesirable. Let us hope that the government coalition will come
up with someone, whom all of us can respect.
Moserova's Speech to the Parliament before the
Vote (in Czech)
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