ČSSD calls on prime minister to apologize for statement regarding direct elections

Prague, Feb 9 (CTK) - The opposition Social Democratic Party (CSSD) wants Prime Minister Petr Necas (Civic Democrats, ODS) to apologise for saying that the Social Democrats would try to prevent the bill on direct presidential election to be passed in the Senate, CSSD leader Bohuslav Sobotka told journalists yesterday.

Sobotka pointed out that the Senate vote proves that Necas was wrong and shows a very different picture.

The Senate passed the constitutional amendment introducing direct election of Czech president on Wednesday. While 36 of 39 CSSD senators backed the amendment, only 11 of 21 ODS senators voted in its support.

Incumbent President Vaclav Klaus will be replaced by a directly elected president in early 2013.

Both the government coalition, including also ODS's junior partners, TOP 09 and Public Affairs (VV), and the CSSD promised to introduce the direct election of Czech president before the 2010 general election.

Most Czech parties were actually promising for a long time that the president would be chosen by the people. Proposals for the direct presidential election were nevertheless repeatedly rejected by parliament for various reasons.

ODS leader Necas was actually against the introduction of the direct election, which he openly admitted. He nevertheless supported the change.

Klaus, former ODS long-standing chairman, considers the introduction of a direct election a fatal error.

Commentator Bohumil Pecinka called the introduction of the direct presidential election unfortunate in the Reflex weekly last week. Pecinka said it would be the result of lacking political culture, irresponsible promises of some parties and the media pressure exerted on legislators.

Some other political analysts say the introduction of the direct election would send the parliamentary system rocketing. The head of state elected directly by people would have a stronger position that would necessarily weaken the government, they say.

The direct election's advocates among MPs point out that they promised its introduction before parliamentary elections, that it has been wished by citizens and that it will prevent excesses similar to those accompanying the latest election of president by the two houses of parliament, narrowly won by Klaus in 2008.