Czech Senate announces date for vote on direct presidential elections

The Czech Senate announced Thursday that in early February it will be voting on a proposal for direct presidential elections that got the go-ahead from the lower house of Parliament in December and is pending approval from the upper house. President Václav Klaus may also attend the Senate session on February 8. If approved by the Senate, the amendment would also limit the president’s powers.

In December, a deal between the coalition and the opposition Social Democrats ensured sufficient support for the motion which had been debated for years. Should the proposal be approved by the upper chamber of Parliament, it would allow Czechs to elect their president directly for the first time in 2013, when current president Václav Klaus leaves office.

Author: Sarah Borufka