Krize vládnutí v České republice. Analýza působení volebního a stranického systému a návrhy možných řešení
The Crisis of Governance in the Czech Republic. Analysis of the Influence of Electoral and Party Systems and Proposed Solutions

Summary/Abstract: This article focuses on the classification of the cabinets in power during the era of the independent Czech Republic. The question we ask is whether we can generally identify any prevailing type of cabinet. Our conclusion is that there were mostly minimal winning coalitions based on the cooperation of ideologically distant political parties or minority cabinets. None of these versions provided government stability. Another aim of the text is to analyse the influence of party and electoral systems on governance. In this respect we tried to answer the question, what would contribute to the smoother formation of Czech governments and their increased stability? The crucial negative factor we identified in the sphere of the party system is the existence of a radical party with minimal coalition potential – the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia. In our opinion, however, this fact can be changed by regular coalition cooperation with the Czech Social Democratic Party. We believe that as far as electoral system modifications are concerned, a positive factor could be represented by a reform that would introduce the mandate premium awarded to the winning coalition or party and at the same time a single electoral district. This would strengthen the position of the election winner and ensure greater homogeneity of governments. It would also eliminate the disproportion between the real electoral support of small parties and their significantly lower number of mandates won.

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