1968 Czechoslovak presidential election

The 1968 Czechoslovak presidential election took place on 30 March 1968. Ludvík Svoboda replaced Antonín Novotný as the President of Czechoslovakia.[1][2] It was the only time during Communist regime that the elected president didn't receive 100% of votes.[3]

1968 Czechoslovak presidential election
30 March 1968
 
Nominee Ludvík Svoboda Abstain
Party KSČ
Electoral vote 282 6
Percentage 97.6% 2.1%
President before election

Antonín Novotný
KSČ

 Elected President

Ludvík Svoboda
KSČ

Background

The election was held as a result of Novotný's resignation during Prague Spring. Discussions about his successor started. The reformist wing of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia wanted an independent candidate and nominated Josef Charvát while others supported Ludvík Svoboda.[4] Another suggested candidate was Čestmír Císař who was supported by students.[5] It was eventually decided that Svoboda will be the only candidate in the election.[4]

Voting
CandidateVotes%
Ludvík Svoboda28297.58
Abstain62.08
Blank votes10.35

The election was held on 30 March 1968. 288 MPs participated. Svoboda received 282 votes and became the new president.[3]

References
  1. "L. Svoboda zvolen prezidentem ČSSR". www.moderni-dejiny.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  2. "Prezidentem republiky byl zvolen Ludvík Svoboda — 1968 — Ve stopách doby — Vyprávěj — Česká televize". www.ceskatelevize.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  3. televize, Česká. "Jediná opravdová prezidentská volba v době komunismu: 1968". ČT24 (in Czech). Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  4. "Josef Charvát a jeho svět". Vesmir.cz. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  5. televize, Česká. ""Císař na Hrad" - Čestmír Císař se dvakrát mohl stát prezidentem". ČT24 (in Czech). Retrieved 3 February 2018.
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