1998 Czech parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections were held in the Czech Republic on 19 and 20 June 1998. The Czech Social Democratic Party emerged as the largest party, winning 74 of the 200 seats. Voter turnout was 73.9%.

Background

The Civic Democratic Party won the 1996 parliamentary elections, subsequently forming a minority government led by Václav Klaus, and supported by the Czech Social Democratic Party. The government lasted until 1998, when it resigned during a political crisis that caused the division of ODS and the disintegration of the ruling coalition. Snap elections were called for June 1998.

Campaign

ODS was threatened by the creation of a new party, the Freedom Union, formed by former ODS members who left after a dispute with Václav Klaus. ODS was polling at around 10%, with the Freedom Union expected to replace it as the largest right-wing party. ČSSD was expected to win by large margin. ODS launched their campaign with warnings that a new government would contain Communist Party members, and its leader Klaus was featured heavily during the campaign. ČSSD criticised the work of Klaus' cabinet and re-used slogans from the 1996 campaign, as well as promising to fight corruption.