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]

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

	Votes	%
Ludvík Svoboda	282	97.58
Abstain	6	2.08
Blank votes	1	0.35

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

References

^ "L. Svoboda zvolen prezidentem ČSSR". moderni-dejiny.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 3 February 2018.
^ "Prezidentem republiky byl zvolen Ludvík Svoboda" (in Czech). Česká televize. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
^ ^a ^b "Jediná opravdová prezidentská volba v době komunismu: 1968". ČT24 (in Czech). Česká televize. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
^ ^a ^b "Josef Charvát a jeho svět". Vesmir.cz. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
^ ""Císař na Hrad" - Čestmír Císař se dvakrát mohl stát prezidentem". ČT24 (in Czech). Česká televize. Retrieved 3 February 2018.

[L._Svoboda_zvolen_prezidentem_ČSSR-1] "L. Svoboda zvolen prezidentem ČSSR". moderni-dejiny.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 3 February 2018.

[Prezidentem_republiky_byl_zvolen_Ludvík_Svoboda_—_1968_—_Ve_stopách_doby_—_Vyprávěj_—_Česká_televize-2] "Prezidentem republiky byl zvolen Ludvík Svoboda" (in Czech). Česká televize. Retrieved 3 February 2018.

[Jediná_opravdová_prezidentská_volba_v_době_komunismu:_1968-3] "Jediná opravdová prezidentská volba v době komunismu: 1968". ČT24 (in Czech). Česká televize. Retrieved 3 February 2018.

[Josef_Charvát_a_jeho_svět-4] "Josef Charvát a jeho svět". Vesmir.cz. Retrieved 3 February 2018.

[„Císař_na_Hrad“_-_Čestmír_Císař_se_dvakrát_mohl_stát_prezidentem-5] ""Císař na Hrad" - Čestmír Císař se dvakrát mohl stát prezidentem". ČT24 (in Czech). Česká televize. Retrieved 3 February 2018.

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