The Czech Republicis First Decade

The article provides an overview of the first decade of Czech politics, focusing especially on the election results, the successive governing coalitions headed first by the Civic Democratic Party and then by the Social Democrats, and on the role of Vaclav Havel as president. It also analyzes the rivalry between Havel and his successor, Vaclav Klaus. After examining the underlying issues that have produced weak governments in recent years and that account for the continuing influence of unreconstructed Communist Party, the essay assesses Czech prospects as a member of NATO and EU.