Chamber:
	Poslanecka Snemovna
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	31 May 1996 1 June 1996
Purpose of elections:
	Elections were held for all the seats in Parliament on the normal expiry of the members' term of office in the first such poll since the dissolution of the Czechoslovak Federation and the consequent coming into being of the sovereign Czech Republic on 1 January 1993.
Background and outcome of elections:
	General elections had not been held since the Czech Republic gained sovereignty on 1 January 1993, parallel to the break-up of the Czechoslovak Federation. At that time, the former Czech National Council elected in June 1992 was transformed into the national legislature known as the Chamber of Deputies. For the 200 seats at stake, the centre-right coalition Government headed by Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus (Civic Democratic Party - ODS) was mainly challenged by the Social Democratic Party (CSSD), which had gained in popularity since the 1992 poll. During the campaign Mr. Klaus pointed to his alliance's economic achievements (lowering of unemployment and inflation, steady annual growth) and reforms in this field (a smoothly-working mass privatisation programme) while the CSSD called for stronger social policies, particularly in the housing and health sectors. Interestingly enough, the above-mentioned leaders faced each other directly in the same constituency (Ostrava). Altogether 23 registered parties were in the running. On voting day, the ODS retained its leading position but, together with its two allies, lost 21 seats to end up with 99 - just short of an overall majority. The CSSD capitalised on these losses to record more gains that any polls had predicted and emerge a strong second. In the opinion of analysts, this outcome would oblige the ruling coalition to govern with more accountability and compromise with its opponents on appropriations for social services while in turn slowing the heretofore fast pace of free-market reforms. The lack of dominance by any one group necessitated intense negotiations in which President of the Republic Vaclav Havel played a key role. Finally, on 4 July, Prime Minister Klaus - in power since 1992 - was sworn in Prime Minister at the head of a minority Government which comprised the same partners (ODS, Christian Democrats and Civic Democratic Alliance) as before. Mr. Milos Zeman, head of CSSD, was chosen as Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies after he had pledged his support to the Prime Minister.

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (31 May 1996): Elections results
Number of registered electors	7,990,770
Voters	6,105,588 (76.4%)
Blank or invalid ballot papers	46,373
Valid votes	6,059,215

Round no 1: Distribution of votes
Political Group	Votes	%
Civic Democratic Party (ODS)	1,794,560	29.62
Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD)	1,602,250	26.44
Communist Party (KSCM)	626,136	10.33
Christian Democratic Union (KDU)-Czech People's Party (CSL)	489,349	8.08
Republican Party (SPR-RSC)	485,072	8.01
Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA)	385,369	6.36

Round no 1: Distribution of seats
Political Group	Total
Civic Democratic Party (ODS)	68
Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD)	61
Communist Party (KSCM)	22
Christian Democratic Union (KDU)-Czech People's Party (CSL)	18
Republican Party (SPR-RSC)	18
Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA)	13

Distribution of seats according to sex:
Men:	170
Women:	30

Distribution of seats according to age:
Under 31 years	21
31-40 years	48
41-50 years	76
51-60 years	51
61-70 years	4