March 20, 2006

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - The Civic Democratic Party (ODS) remains the favourite political organization for Czech voters, according to a poll by STEM. 26.7 per cent of respondents would support the ODS in this year's Chamber of Representatives ballot.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - The Civic Democratic Party (ODS) remains the favourite political organization for Czech voters, according to a poll by STEM. 26.7 per cent of respondents would support the ODS in this year's Chamber of Representatives ballot.

The governing Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD) is second with 21.8 per cent, followed by the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM) with 12.4 per cent, the Green Party (SZ) with 9.4 per cent, and the Christian and Democratic Union - Czech People's Party (KDU-CSL) with 6.1 per cent. Parties require at least five per cent of the vote to earn seats under the country's proportional representation system.

In July 2004, prime minister Vladimir Spidla resigned from his post following a poor showing from the CSSD in the elections to the European Parliament. Social Democratic interim leader Stanislav Gross took over, but resigned last year following allegations regarding the origin of funds borrowed to buy an apartment in Prague. CSSD vice-chairman Jiri Paroubek—who served as regional development minister—formed a new coalition administration in April 2005.

Earlier this month, Paroubek criticized ODS leader Mirek Topolanek for failing to agree to a televised debate, declaring, "The attitude of the ODS leader is a sign that he fears the confrontation of the election platforms of the CSSD and the ODS. I am calling on Topolanek not to hide from me and not to avoid the televised debate with me." Topolanek dismissed the prime minister's comments, saying, "Paroubek has repeatedly shunned a serious public discussion, preferring his media presentation. My personal schedule is not set by the prime minister as I do not set his."

The election to the Chamber of Representatives is scheduled for Jun. 2 and Jun. 3. In the June 2002 ballot, the CSSD elected 70 lawmakers to the 200-member Chamber of Representatives.

Polling Data

What party list would you vote for in the next parliamentary election?

	Mar. 2006	Feb. 2006	Jan. 2006
Civic Democratic Party (ODS)	26.7%	28.6%	28.6%
Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD)	21.8%	24.5%	27.2%
Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM)	12.4%	15.3%	13.2%
Green Party (SZ)	9.4%	5.6%	3.4%
Christian and Democratic Union - Czech People's Party (KDU-CSL)	6.1%	6.4%	6.7%
Political Movement Independents (NEZ)	1.0%	1.0%	0.8%
Association of Independents (SNK) - Democratic Europe (ED)	0.7%	1.0%	1.3%
Freedom Union - Democratic Union (US-DEU)	0.3%	0.3%	0.5%
Independent Democrats (NEZ/DEM)	0.1%	0.2%	0.3%

Source: STEM
Methodology: Interviews with 1,699 Czech voters, conducted from Mar. 1 to Mar. 8, 2006. No margin of error was provided.