1998 Czech Parliamentary Election

The Czech Social Democratic Party emerged as the largest party, winning 74 of the 200 seats. Voter turnout was 73.9%.

1998 Czech legislative election

← 1996 19–20 June 1998 2002 →
All 200 seats in the Chamber of Deputies 101 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party Third party   Leader Miloš Zeman Václav Klaus Miroslav Grebeníček Party ČSSD ODS KSČM Seats won 74 63 24 Seat change 13 5 2 Popular vote 1,928,660 1,656,011 658,550 Percentage 32.31% 27.74% 11.03% Swing 2.69 pp 1.88 pp 1.30 pp   Fourth party Fifth party   Leader Josef Lux Jan Ruml Party KDU-ČSL US Seats won 20 19 Seat change 2 New Popular vote 537,013 513,596 Percentage 8.99% 8.60% Swing 0.91pp New
Result of election
Prime Minister before election Josef Tošovský Independent Prime Minister after election Miloš Zeman ČSSD

The Civic Democratic Party (ODS) had won the 1996 parliamentary elections. The party's leader, Václav Klaus, then formed a minority government supported by the Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD). 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 was called for June 1998.

The ODS was weakened by the creation of a new party, the Freedom Union (US). The US was formed by former members of ODS who had left after a conflict with Václav Klaus. The ODS was polling at around 10%, with the US expected to replace it as the major right-wing party. The ČSSD was expected to win by large margin. The ODS launched their campaign with warnings that a new government would contain Communist members and used its leader Klaus heavily during the campaign. The ČSSD criticised the work of Klaus' cabinet and recycled slogans used during 1996 campaign, as well as promising to fight against corruption.

Finances