# 2010 Czech parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections were held in the Czech Republic on 28–29 May 2010 to elect the 200 members of the Chamber of Deputies. The elections had been expected to take place sometime before the end of 2009, but was postponed due to legal challenges. Before the election, the country had been governed by a caretaker administration headed by Jan Fischer. The Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) was the front-runner of the election and its leader Jiří Paroubek was the favourite to become the new prime minister.
ČSSD came first in the election, although they suffered significant losses in seats and the popular vote. The conservative Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and TOP 09 followed in second and third, with the Communist Party finishing fourth. ČSSD leader Jiří Paroubek resigned after the election, conceding that a conservative coalition government appeared likely due to the rise in support for two new right-wing parties: TOP 09 and Public Affairs (VV). In June, a centre-right coalition of ODS, TOP 09, and VV was formed, with Petr Nečas becoming the prime minister.

## Background

On 24 March 2009, after four previous failed attempts, the opposition ČSSD succeeded in passing a no confidence vote against the government of Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek (ODS) in the lower house of the Czech parliament. The measure passed with 101 votes to 96, with several members of Topolánek's own party voting with the opposition.
On 28 March 2009, ČSSD leader Jiří Paroubek and Topolánek agreed to hold early elections in October 2009. They later agreed to form an interim government of experts (before the end of the Czech EU presidency), with half of the government nominated by ČSSD and half by two parties of the incumbent government (ODS and The Greens; the third party KDU–ČSL did not participate), and that early elections would be held on 16–17 October 2009. On 5 April 2009, Paroubek and Topolánek agreed on Jan Fischer, the head of the national statistical office, as the interim prime minister, to take over on 8 May 2009, and stated that elections would be held by 15 October 2009, most likely on 9–10 October 2009.
The newly founded party Tradition Responsibility Prosperity 09 (TOP 09), which had split off from the KDU–ČSL, also contested the election. Some polls showed the party to be in fourth place, closely behind the Communist Party.
The election date was initially scheduled for 1 July 2009, but ex-ČSSD Independent MP Miloš Melčák filed a complaint with the Constitutional Court, on the grounds that he had a right to sit in parliament for a full term, and the election was postponed while the court examined the legality of the law setting the election date. A hearing was scheduled for 10 September 2009; if the court ruled against the complaint at that hearing, elections would be held as planned, but politicians agreed that they would rather change the constitution to simplify the procedure of calling early elections, and using the new provisions, the election would be held with a delay of at most one month, regardless of the court's decision, most likely on 6–7 November.
However, the Constitutional Court viewed the constitutional amendment calling for one-off early elections as a retroactive decision in violation of the existing constitutional procedures regulating early elections, and struck down the act on the grounds that it violated the procedure for constitutional amendments, the right to vote, and the inalienable principle of a law-abiding state. As the Court ruled the election date invalid, the laws (a constitutional amendment and a law shortening election deadlines) were passed on 11 September as planned. President Klaus signed the laws on 12 September, and parliament planned to dissolve itself on 15 September. Melčák stated, however, that he would likely file another complaint if this plan went ahead.
In a surprise move, ČSSD announced on 15 September that it would not vote in favour of dissolution, as the new law was likely to be challenged by Melčák again, and this would again call the legality of the election into question; they were now in favour of elections in mid-2010, on the initially scheduled dates. ČSSD had 71 seats and needed ten more MPs to support their position to delay the election, but it was considered likely that they would succeed in blocking the election. The Christian and Democratic Union (KDU-ČSL) also withdrew their support for early elections, meaning the election would be held in May 2010.
Following controversial comments about the Catholic Church, Jews and homosexuals, ODS chairman Topolánek withdrew from the election and resigned as party leader on 26 March 2010. He was replaced by Petr Nečas.

## Contesting political parties and candidates

| Party | Ideology | Leader | 2006 result | 2006 result |
| Civic Democratic Party (ODS) | Conservatism, Economic liberalism, Euroscepticism | Petr Nečas | 35.4% | 81 / 200 |
| Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) | Social democracy, Pro-Europeanism | Jiří Paroubek | 32.3% | 74 / 200 |
| Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM) • Party of Democratic Socialism | Communism, Euroscepticism | Vojtěch Filip | 12.8% | 26 / 200 |
| TOP 09 • Mayors and Independents • Mayors for Liberec Region | Liberal conservatism, Pro-Europeanism | Karel Schwarzenberg | new | new |
| Public Affairs (VV) • SNK European Democrats | Conservative liberalism, Populism | Radek John | didn't contest | didn't contest |
| Christian and Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU-ČSL) | Christian democracy, Social conservatism, Pro-Europeanism | Cyril Svoboda | 7.2% | 13 / 200 |
| Green Party (Zelení) • Party for the Open Society | Green politics, Pro-Europeanism | Ondřej Liška | 6.3% | 6 / 200 |
| Party of Civic Rights (SPO) | Social democracy | Miloš Zeman | new | new |
| Sovereignty – Party of Common Sense | Nationalism, Euroscepticism | Jana Bobošíková | 0.5% | 0 / 200 |
| Workers' Party of Social Justice (DSSS) | Neo-Nazism, Ultranationalism, Anti-globalism, Euroscepticism | Tomáš Vandas | 0.2% | 0 / 200 |
| Czech Pirate Party (Piráti) | Pirate politics, Direct and Participatory democracy, Open state, Liberalism | Ivan Bartoš | new | new |
| Party of Free Citizens (Svobodní) • Law and Justice | Classical liberalism, Right-libertarianism, Libertarian conservatism, Euroscepticism | Petr Mach | new | new |
| Coalition for Republic – Republican Party of Czechoslovakia (SPR–RSČ) | National conservatism, Anti-immigration, Czechoslovak unionism, Euroscepticism | Miroslav Sládek | 0.2% | 0 / 200 |

## Campaign

Issues that featured heavily in the campaign included the Greek government-debt crisis, the global financial crisis, the possibility of national bankruptcy, and corruption.

### Civic Democratic Party (ODS)

ODS launched its campaign on 16 March 2010, with reducing unemployment as the main focus. The party stated it would support shorter working periods and employment of graduates and seniors. The party used mannequins of fictional characters Václav Dobrák and Marie Slušná as campaign mascots and the campaign slogans "ODS is the solution" and "It won't happen without your vote."
When their main rival ČSSD used blue ambulances in their campaign to attack ODS, the party reacted by parking a demolished orange ambulance outside the Chamber of Deputies to depict how healthcare would look if ČSSD led the government.
The previous leader of ODS, former prime minister Mirek Topolánek, was replaced as leader by Petr Nečas on 26 March 2010, considered a more acceptable and popular candidate than Topolánek. ČSSD leader Jiří Paroubek stated that he could cooperate with Nečas in some circumstances. Nečas rejected Paroubek's comments and stated that ODS would not form a Grand coalition with ČSSD after the election.
ODS started focusing on economics and public finances in April 2010, promising to reduce public debt to avoid bankruptcy, and using the example of Greece to warn against ČSSD. The party also used negative campaigning against ČSSD, focused primarily on Paroubek.
The Civic Democrats conducted an active campaign on the internet, communicating with potential voters on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The party held an online "virtual demonstration" against ČSSD. On 30 April 2010, ODS released an election advert entitled "Your vote", commemorating the trial of Milada Horáková and the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia, and warning against Social Democrats and Communists. The clip urged Jiří Paroubek to resign as ČSSD leader, a response to Paroubek's appeal to some ODS politicians to quit politics.
Nečas held campaign events in multiple towns across the Czech Republic, meeting potential voters. ODS also featured Nečas heavily in its billboard campaign, launched in May 2010, which presented him as a candidate of "responsible politics".
Nečas attacked ČSSD over the election debate, criticising the fact that Paroubek had agreed to just three debates, and accusing him of avoiding a confrontation with him. The first head-to-head debate between Nečas and Paroubek was held on 12 April 2018, resulting in no clear winner, according to analysts. A second debate was held on 23 May 2010, also with no clear winner. The last debate was held on 26 May 2010, with journalists judging Nečas to have been better prepared and more confident than Paroubek, and the victor of the debate.
The party published campaign newspapers with the title Jasně ("Of Course"), introducing their policies and candidates.
ODS launched the final phase of its campaign, called "120 Hours for Victory", on 23 May 2010. Nečas said that ODS had to "stop Jiří Paroubek and the Communists". 120 Hours for Victory included performances by Czech singers such as Eva Pilarová, Helena Zeťová, Ivan Mládek, Tereza Kerndlová and Jitka Zelenková, attended by hundreds of party supporters. The party invited foreign politicians who came to the event to support ODS. The party was endorsed by British prime minister David Cameron and Slovak politician Iveta Radičová who both attended the event.

### Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD)

ČSSD was led into the election by former prime minister Jiří Paroubek. The party was considered the front-runner in the election and Paroubek was believed to be most likely to form the new government. The party's campaign slogans were "A better future for ordinary people" and "Change and Hope".
ČSSD launched their campaign on 22 April 2010. Paroubek stated that the party planned to restore economic growth. The party held large rallies in Czech towns, which ceased in May 2010 when ČSSD MP Bohuslav Sobotka was physically attacked by an opponent of the party. ČSSD politicians decided to meet voters at factories and schools instead. The party also put a lot of effort into a telephone campaign, in which ČSSD politicians phoned people to ask which party they were planning to vote for and ask them about their ideas.
ČSSD made heavy use of negative campaigning directed as ODS and TOP 09, with half of their campaign billboards attacking those two parties. Slogans used on billboards included "Let's stop ODS and TOP 09 on 28 May" or "If you don't vote, you will pay by getting dismissed without cause." The party published campaign newspapers called Health Newspapers, attacking the healthcare plans of the two right-wing parties.
ČSSD concluded its campaign with the slogan "Work and Prosperity", and handed out 100,000 doughnuts at events for party supporters. ČSSD campaign manager Jaroslav Tvrdík stated that the party wanted to "make it more pleasant for people to wake up, and remind them why is voting important".

### Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM)

The Communist Party, led by Vojtěch Filip, ran a campaign focused on young voters, and held meetings with potential voters in town squares around the country, culminating in a huge rally on Náměstí Republiky, Prague. Younger party activists also attended meetings to attract young voters. The party's campaign used the slogan "With the People, For the People" and also featured celebrities who supported the party, such as singers Martin Maxa and Jana Kociánová.

### TOP 09

TOP 09 was founded by Miroslav Kalousek in June 2009. Karel Schwarzenberg was elected leader of the new party, and they entered a partnership with Mayors and Independents. TOP 09 decided to target conservative voters and began raising funds for their campaign, which was launched on 27 April 2010. Schwarzenberg promised a fight against corruption, healthcare reform, and moral renewal of the country. The party also attacked Public Affairs. The campaign, which was inspired by Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, featured billboards using the slogan "more than you think".

### Public Affairs (VV)

Public Affairs were led by author and journalist Radek John. The party launched its campaign on 20 April 2010, with John stating that he believed the party would receive more than 10% of votes. The party promised an end to "political dinosaurs" and promised to fight against corruption.

### Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU–ČSL)

KDU–ČSL, led by Cyril Svoboda, launched its campaign on 8 April 2010. The party had a shortage of campaign funding, and focused on a personal campaign, with party leaders visiting workplaces, social institutions and retirement homes. KDU-ČSL used the slogans "KDU-ČSL, the better in us" and "A good day is when ..."

### Green Party (SZ)

The Green Party, led by Ondřej Liška, launched its campaign on 27 April 2010, which featured prominent supporters of the party such as former president Václav Havel, Lenka Dusilová, and Meda Mládková.
The Greens focused heavily on communicating directly with citizens and their internet campaign. Liška stated that the Greens wanted to be different from the big parties and be "modest and sincere". The Greens considered TOP 09 and Public Affairs to be their main rivals. Their campaign focused on the environment and support for a healthy lifestyle, while also telling voters that their economic programme was good for the Czech Republic.
The party concluded its campaign by releasing three video adverts in which party supporters tried to convince people to vote for them.

### Party of Civic Rights (SPOZ)

Party of Civic Rights was led by former prime minister Miloš Zeman, who stated that party's aim was to enter the Chamber of Deputies. Zeman used a bus called "Zemák" for his campaign.

### Sovereignty – Party of Common Sense (Suverenita)

Sovereignty launched its campaign in January 2010, which focused heavily on leader Jana Bobošíková. The party used a campaign bus called Bobobus.

### Independent initiatives
#### Defenestration 2010

Defenestration 2010 was an independent initiative organised by František Janouch and Lenka Procházková, urging voters to use their preferential votes to help elect lesser known politicians, as they were "less likely to be involved in corruption".

#### Replace Politicians

Replace Politicians was an independent initiative supported by celebrities such as Dan Bárta, Aneta Langerová, Radek Banga, Viktor Preiss and David Koller, calling for voters to support smaller parties. The initiative held events and concerts, and the band Nightwork released a video clip to support the initiative.

### Campaign finances

| Party | Money Spent | Campaign Worth |
| ODS | 213,000,000 Kč | 192,885,423 Kč |
| ČSSD | 184,124,000 Kč | 333,084,552 Kč |
| VV | 108,047,075 Kč | 57,715,754 Kč |
| SPOZ | 60,376,994 Kč | 29,032,691 Kč |
| TOP 09 | 53,628,000 Kč | 25,287,285 Kč |
| KDU-ČSL | 50,000,000 Kč | 3,795,362 Kč |
| SZ | 12,737,573 Kč | 1,658,820 Kč |
| KSČM | 10,200,000 Kč | 6,648,556 Kč |
| Suverenita | 7,000,000 Kč | 10,655,395 Kč |
| SSO | 1,100,000 Kč | |
| ČPS | 230,000 Kč | |

## Television debates

The leaders of the two largest parties, Petr Nečas and Jiří Paroubek, appeared in four head-to-head debates. The first debate was organised by Česká televize in April 2010. The second was organised by Prima televize, and was a calm debate without personal attacks. The third debate was more aggressive and featured a number of personal attacks. The final debate was organised by Česká televize and was based on the format of debates organised by the BBC in the United Kingdom.
2010 Czech parliamentary election debates :
| Date | Organisers | P Present A Absent | P Present A Absent | P Present A Absent | P Present A Absent | P Present A Absent | P Present A Absent | P Present A Absent | P Present A Absent |
| Date | Organisers | ODS | ČSSD | KSČM | TOP 09 | VV | KDU–ČSL | SZ | SPOZ |
| 12 April | Česká televize | P Nečas | P Paroubek | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| 23 May | Prima televize | P Nečas | P Paroubek | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| 25 May | Český rozhlas | A | A | P Filip | P Schwarzenberg | P John | P Svoboda | P Liška | P Zeman |
| 26 May | Český rozhlas | P Nečas | P Paroubek | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| 27 May | Česká televize | P Nečas | P Paroubek | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Viewed as "the winner of debate" |||||||||||
| Debate | Poll | ODS | ČSSD | KSČM | TOP 09 | VV | KDU–ČSL | SZ | SPO |
| 23 May Prima televize | Ipsos Tambor | Nečas 57% | Paroubek 43% | A | A | A | A | A | A |

## Opinion polls

| Date | Polling Firm | ČSSD | ODS | TOP 09 | KSČM | VV | KDU-ČSL | SZ | SPOZ | Others |
| 28-29 May 2010 | Election | 22.1 | 20.2 | 16.7 | 11.3 | 10.9 | 4.4 | 2.4 | 4.3 | 7.7 |
| Exit poll | SC&C | 20.0 | 20.0 | 17.0 | 11.0 | 11.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 |
| 7–12 May 2010 | Factum Invenio | 26.3 | 22.9 | 10.9 | 13.1 | 12.6 | 5.5 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 3.6 |
| 3–10 May 2010 | CVVM | 30.5 | 19.0 | 14.0 | 13.0 | 11.5 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| 28 April–4 May 2010 | Sanep | 29.9 | 22.3 | 10.1 | 12.9 | 9.8 | 4.7 | 2.8 | 5.5 | 2.0 |
| 2 Apr - 1 May 2010 | Median | 26.2 | 19.0 | 10.7 | 13.3 | 7.6 | 7.5 | 3.5 | 6.8 | 5.3 |
| 23–28 April 2010 | Factum Invenio | 27.5 | 21.7 | 11.1 | 13.9 | 11.0 | 5.2 | 2.9 | 3.2 | 3.5 |
| 13–28 April 2010 | Médea Research | 30.4 | 18.7 | 13.7 | 10.0 | 12.0 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 3.7 | 2.2 |
| 7–13 April 2010 | Sanep | 29.0 | 20.1 | 13.4 | 13.0 | 8.5 | 5.6 | 3.6 | 5.2 | 1.6 |
| 5–12 April 2010 | CVVM | 30.0 | 22.5 | 11.5 | 13.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| 1–10 April 2010 | STEM | 27.8 | 18.6 | 9.3 | 9.9 | 8.1 | 4.9 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 15.2 |
| 3 - 9 Apr 2010 | Factum Invenio | 29.5 | 22.3 | 11.6 | 13.9 | 8.9 | 5.5 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 3.0 |
| 2 Mar - 30 Apr 2010 | Median | 27.0 | 21.2 | 7.5 | 16.8 | 4.3 | 7.4 | 4.8 | — | 11.0 |
| 1 - 8 Mar 2010 | CVVM | 32.0 | 25.5 | 10.0 | 12.0 | 7.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3.0 | 1.5 |
| 27 Feb - 8 Mar 2010 | STEM | 27.9 | 20.0 | 7.7 | 11.3 | 6.2 | 4.8 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 14.7 |
| 26 Feb - 3 Mar 2010 | Factum Invenio | 27.4 | 23.0 | 11.8 | 14.4 | 7.8 | 6.2 | 4.7 | — | 4.7 |
| 7–13 April 2010 | Sanep | 29.0 | 20.1 | 13.4 | 13.0 | 8.5 | 5.6 | 3.6 | 5.2 | 1.6 |
| 2 - 3 Jun 2006 | 2006 Election | 32.3 | 35.3 | — | 12.8 | — | 7.2 | 6.3 | — | 6.1 |

## Results

The centre-left ČSSD won the most votes, with 22.1%. The conservative ODS and TOP 09 followed with 20.2% and 16.7% respectively. The Communist Party came fourth with 11.3%, ahead of the centre-right VV which received 10.9%. It was the first time that the Communists had finished lower than third in a Czech election. TOP 09 and VV won seats in Parliament for the first time. The Christian Democrats (4.4%), the Party of Civic Rights (4.3%), the Green Party (2.4%), and Sovereignty (3.7%), failed to gain the 5% necessary to enter parliament. Voter turnout was 62.6% nationally, highest in Prague-West District (71.69%) and lowest in Sokolov District (50.89%). The results were a setback for the Czech Republic's largest parties, ČSSD and ODS. President Václav Klaus said that the results would cause a "fundamental weakening" of the two parties.
| | Czech Social Democratic Party | 1,155,267 | 22.09 | 56 | –18 |
| | Civic Democratic Party | 1,057,792 | 20.22 | 53 | –28 |
| | TOP 09 | 873,833 | 16.71 | 41 | New |
| | Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia | 589,765 | 11.27 | 26 | 0 |
| | Public Affairs | 569,127 | 10.88 | 24 | New |
| | KDU-ČSL | 229,717 | 4.39 | 0 | –13 |
| | Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci | 226,527 | 4.33 | 0 | New |
| | Sovereignty – Party of Common Sense | 192,145 | 3.67 | 0 | New |
| | Green Party | 127,831 | 2.44 | 0 | –6 |
| | Workers' Party of Social Justice | 59,888 | 1.14 | 0 | New |
| | Czech Pirate Party | 42,323 | 0.81 | 0 | New |
| | Party of Free Citizens | 38,894 | 0.74 | 0 | New |
| | Right Bloc | 24,750 | 0.47 | 0 | 0 |
| | Citizens.cz | 13,397 | 0.26 | 0 | New |
| | Moravané | 11,914 | 0.23 | 0 | 0 |
| | Conservative Party | 4,232 | 0.08 | 0 | New |
| | Koruna Česká | 4,024 | 0.08 | 0 | 0 |
| | STOP | 3,155 | 0.06 | 0 | New |
| | Rally for the Republic – Republican Party of Czechoslovakia | 1,993 | 0.04 | 0 | 0 |
| | Czech National Socialist Party | 1,371 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 |
| | Key Movement | 1,099 | 0.02 | 0 | New |
| | Humanist Party | 552 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 |
| | European Centre | 522 | 0.01 | 0 | New |
| | Czech National Social Party | 295 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 |
| | Liberálové.CZ | 260 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 |
| | National Prosperity | 186 | 0.00 | 0 | New |
| Total | Total | 5,230,859 | 100.00 | 200 | 0 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | 5,230,859 | 99.37 | | |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 32,963 | 0.63 | | |
| Total votes | Total votes | 5,263,822 | 100.00 | | |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 8,415,892 | 62.55 | | |
| Source: Czech Statistical Office ||||||

### Vote share by district

* CSSD
* ODS
* TOP 9
* KSCM
* VV

### By region
#### Prague

| Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | TOP 09 | 173,840 | 27.28 | 8 |
| | Civic Democratic Party | 158,014 | 24.79 | 8 |
| | Czech Social Democratic Party | 96,706 | 15.17 | 4 |
| | Public Affairs | 65,742 | 10.32 | 3 |
| | Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia | 41,647 | 6.53 | 2 |
| | Green Party | 30,528 | 4.79 | 0 |
| | Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci | 19,851 | 3.11 | 0 |
| | Other parties | 51,000 | 8.00 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 637,328 | 100.00 | 25 |

#### Central Bohemian Region

| Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | Civic Democratic Party | 150,465 | 23.88 | 7 |
| | Czech Social Democratic Party | 129,368 | 20.53 | 6 |
| | TOP 09 | 110,865 | 17.59 | 5 |
| | Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia | 69,368 | 11.01 | 3 |
| | Public Affairs | 67,601 | 10.73 | 3 |
| | Sovereignty – Party of Common Sense | 27,430 | 4.35 | 0 |
| | Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci | 23,235 | 3.69 | 0 |
| | Other parties | 51,871 | 8.23 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 630,203 | 100.00 | 24 |

#### South Bohemian Region

| Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | Civic Democratic Party | 71,173 | 21.37 | 4 |
| | Czech Social Democratic Party | 68,468 | 20.55 | 3 |
| | TOP 09 | 57,937 | 17.39 | 3 |
| | Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia | 40,738 | 12.23 | 2 |
| | Public Affairs | 35,541 | 10.67 | 1 |
| | Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci | 13,736 | 4.12 | 0 |
| | KDU-ČSL | 12,558 | 3.77 | 0 |
| | Sovereignty – Party of Common Sense | 12,523 | 3.76 | 0 |
| | Other parties | 20,443 | 6.14 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 333,117 | 100.00 | 13 |

#### Plzeň Region

| Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | Czech Social Democratic Party | 61,688 | 22.01 | 3 |
| | Civic Democratic Party | 59,253 | 21.14 | 3 |
| | TOP 09 | 47,584 | 16.98 | 2 |
| | Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia | 35,077 | 12.52 | 2 |
| | Public Affairs | 27,378 | 9.77 | 1 |
| | Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci | 11,605 | 4.14 | 0 |
| | KDU-ČSL | 6,820 | 2.43 | 0 |
| | Other parties | 30,859 | 11.01 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 280,264 | 100.00 | 11 |

## Aftermath

After the election results were announced, Jiří Paroubek resigned as ČSSD leader, citing disappointment with the outcome, and saying that "it seems that people have chosen the direction the republic should go in and it is a different direction than the one ČSSD were offering". ČSSD had led comfortably in polling before the election, and its 22% share of the vote was a significant drop from the party's 32% in the 2006 election. Paroubek conceded that a conservative coalition government was likely.
KDU-ČSL failed to enter the parliament for the first time in the party's history. Party leader Cyril Svoboda admitted disappointment, and took responsibility for the result, resigning as leader on 6 June 2010. Michaela Šojdrová became acting leader.
The Green Party also dropped out of the Chamber of Deputies. Party leader Ondřej Liška resigned and announced a snap leadership election.

### Government formation

ODS, TOP 09 and VV had all committed to government spending cuts, raising the prospect of the formation of a fiscally conservative cabinet. The leaders of the three parties held coalition talks shortly after the results were published. ODS leader Petr Nečas said that the three parties had a "common will" to form a government, stating that their financial plans would work together to help the country avoid a crisis similar to the one affecting Greece at the time. Negotiations between the three parties about the formation of a new government started on 2 June 2010, and the parties signed a proclamation to continue negotiations.
After extensive talks regarding the terms of the coalition, Nečas was appointed prime minister on 28 June 2010. Public Affairs held a referendum among party members to decide whether to join the new government. The result was announced on 12 July 2018, with 2,912 members voting in favour and 815 against. The coalition agreement was signed on the same day.

## Footnotes

* ↑ Willoughby, Ian (5 February 2010). "Czechs to go to polls in general elections on last weekend of May". Radio Prague. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
* 1 2 "Update 2-Czech leaders agree on cabinet, early election". Reuters. 5 April 2009.
* 1 2 Bilefsky, Dan (29 May 2010). "Left Wins Czech Vote, but Right Makes Gains". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
* ↑ "Sázkové kanceláře mají jasno: premiérem bude Jiří Paroubek" (in Czech). Lidovky.cz. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
* ↑ "Jak nevyhrál Paroubek a kdo po volbách řekl: Máte, co jste chtěli!". Expres.cz. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
* ↑ "Měsíc do voleb: přišel pan Čistý, ale Buldozer si udržuje náskok". iDNES.cz. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
* ↑ "Czech Republic voters move to right in general election". BBC News. 30 May 2010.
* ↑ "Czech MPs oust government in vote". BBC News. 24 March 2009.
* ↑ "Czech Party Leaders Agree To Early Polls in October". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Reuters. 28 March 2009.
* ↑ "Access Denied | Prague Monitor". Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
* ↑ "Support Eroding for Czech Social Democrats". Angus Reid Global Monitor. 31 August 2009. Archived from the original on 1 September 2009.
* ↑ "Czech president calls election for October 9–10". Reuters India. 1 July 2009. Archived from the original on 5 July 2009.
* ↑ "Czech Constitutional Court postpones decree on early elections". ČeskéNoviny.cz. 1 September 2009.
* ↑ Carney, Sean (3 September 2009). "Czechs Try to Get Snap Election Back on Track". The Wall Street Journal. p. A4.
* ↑ Mlcochova, Jana (2 September 2009). "Czech leaders agree to secure quick election". Forbes. Reuters. Archived from the original on 3 September 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
* ↑ "Czech lawmakers agree to amend Constitution". Aktuálně.cz. 9 September 2009.
* ↑ "Czech PM: Election likely in Nov, Oct possible". Reuters. 3 September 2009.
* ↑ "Dokument: Stručné zdůvodnění ÚS ke kauze volby". aktualne.cz (in Czech). 10 September 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
* ↑ "Verfassungsreform in Prag im Eilzugstempo". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in German). 12 September 2009.
* ↑ "Klaus signs both laws leading to Czech early elections". ČeskéNoviny.cz. Czech News Agency. 12 September 2009.
* ↑ "Weg für Neuwahlen geebnet". derStandard.at (in German). 13 September 2009. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012.
* ↑ "Czech Social Democrats say not to back early election move". World Bulletin. Reuters. 15 September 2009. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011.
* ↑ "Czech Chamber to hardly dissolve itself without CSSD's support". ČeskéNoviny.cz. Czech News Agency. 15 September 2009.
* ↑ "Czech Republic's snap November poll cast in doubt". Monsters and Critics. Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 15 September 2009. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012.
* ↑ "Czech Republic's snap November poll likely scrapped (1st Lead)". Monsters and Critics. Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 15 September 2009. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012.
* ↑ "Czech ex-premier Topolanek pulls out of election race". Earth Times. Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 25 March 2010. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
* ↑ "Necas replaces Topolanek as ODS election leader". ČeskéNoviny.cz. Czech News Agency. 25 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
* ↑ "Policy Program of the Czech Pirate Party". Pirati.CZ. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Kampaň k volbám do Poslanecké sněmovny 2010" (in Czech). IPM. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "ODS chce dohnat sociální demokraty. Zítra zahájí kampaň" (in Czech). Lidovky.cz. 15 March 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "ODS spustila kampaň s Václavem Dobrákem a Marií Slušnou" (in Czech). Lidovky.cz. 17 March 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "ODS zahájila protiútok zdemolovanou oranžovou sanitkou" (in Czech). Lidovky.cz. 18 March 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ ""Efekt Nečas" zatím ODS nepomohl, její ztráta na ČSSD trvá". iDNES.cz. 14 April 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "Topolánek padl. Nečas je připraven být po volbách premiérem" (in Czech). Lidovky.cz. 25 March 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "Nečas: Jsem zásadním odpůrcem velké koalice s ČSSD" (in Czech). Lidovky.cz. 28 March 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "Nečas odmítl Paroubkův diktát, jak udělat z ODS politického partnera". iDNES.cz. 26 March 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "Snížíme dluhy a odvrátíme státní bankrot, přesvědčuje voliče ODS". iDNES.cz. 15 April 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "ODS přepálila negativní kampaň. Obvinila ČSSD z čistky, která nebyla". iDNES.cz. 18 April 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "ODS zahájila negativní kampaň, opírá se hlavně do Paroubka". ČT24 (in Czech). Česká televize. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* 1 2 Nápravník, Lukáš (2012). Volební kampaň ODS v letech 2006 a 2010 (PDF). Olomouc: MORAVSKÁ VYSOKÁ ŠKOLA OLOMOUC. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
* ↑ "ODS burcuje voliče klipem s ruskými tanky, Horákovou a listopadem 1989". iDNES.cz. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "Paroubek chtěl rozdávat koblihy, Nečas jej předběhl s koláči". iDNES.cz. 26 May 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "Nečas je naděje, hlásá ODS na poštách. Zákon to zakazuje". iDNES.cz. 10 May 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "Tvrdíku, nebojte se a pusťte Paroubka do debaty, naléhá Nečas". iDNES.cz. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "První televizní duel: Nečas versus Paroubek" (in Czech). Rozhlas.cz. 12 April 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "Debata o ničem, hodnotí experti duel Nečas - Paroubek" (in Czech). Aktuálně.cz. 11 April 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "Paroubek a Nečas se střetli v druhé předvolební debatě" (in Czech). iROZHLAS. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "Debata Nečas - Paroubek: tvrdá příprava, nudný výsledek" (in Czech). Lidovky.cz. 23 May 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "Poslední duel Nečas - Paroubek: šéf ČSSD se potil a byl nervozní" (in Czech). Lidovky.cz. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ Plesl, Jaroslav (28 May 2010). "Premiérský duel: poslední body pro Petra Nečase" (in Czech). Hospodářské noviny. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* 1 2 "Vodrážka hraje na bicí a Pilarová hladí tygra. To jsou volební noviny ODS". iDNES.cz. 20 April 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "ODS odpočítává hodiny do voleb, zahájila konečnou fázi kampaně" (in Czech). Lidovky.cz. 23 May 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
* ↑ "Jakub Patočka: Paroubek premiérem" (in Czech). denikreferendum.cz. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "ČSSD zahájila kampaň, místo vajec v akci píšťalky" (in Czech). TÝDEN.cz. 22 April 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "ČSSD zahájila včera v Ostravě svou předvolební kampaň". POLAR TV (in Czech). POLAR televize Ostrava s.r.o. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "Velké mítinky špiček ČSSD končí. Jdeme do fabrik a škol, řekl Paroubek". iDNES.cz. 6 May 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "Haló, tady Pecina! Telefonická kampaň ČSSD je v plném proudu". ČT24 (in Czech). Česká televize. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "V disciplíně útočných billboardů vede ČSSD" (in Czech). Novinky.cz. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
* 1 2 "Závěr kampaně: ČSSD rozdá tisíce koblih, ODS zamodří Česko" (in Czech). Hospodářské noviny. 21 May 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
* ↑ "ČSSD ve čtvrtek ráno před fabrikami rozdá 100 tisíc koblih" (in Czech). Novinky.cz. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
* ↑ Weikert, Petr (21 May 2010). "KSČM láká mladé. Staří ubývají" (in Czech). Hospodářské noviny. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
* ↑ "Kalousek si zaregistroval značku TOP 09 dávno předtím, než opustil lidovce". iDNES.cz. 10 June 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "Lídrem TOP 09 je Schwarzenberg, míří do křesla předsedy". iDNES.cz. 11 June 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "Kníže ostřeluje ODS zprava, nová strana bude důsledně konzervativní". iDNES.cz. 12 June 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "TOP 09 shání miliony na kampaň, kníže svůj majetek nerozprodá". iDNES.cz. 13 June 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "TOP 09 zahájila předvolební kampaň. Schwarzenberg vyzdvihl důchody" (in Czech). Lidovky.cz. 27 April 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
* ↑ "Lidé rozliší volby a anketu Týtý, věří TOP 09. Vytáhla v kampani Čisté víno". iDNES.cz. 27 April 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
* ↑ "Věci veřejné zahájily kampaň výstřelem z děla". ČT24 (in Czech). Česká televize. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
* ↑ "KDU-ČSL: Předvolební kampaň zahájena!". KDU-ČSL. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
* ↑ "Lidovci nepodpoří ani tichou koalici levice. Start kampaně jim překryl Obama". iDNES.cz. 8 April 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
* ↑ "Fantom kampaně Cyril Svoboda. Najít ho je těžké" (in Czech). TÝDEN.cz. 14 May 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
* ↑ "Liška povede zelené do voleb v Praze, Kateřina Jacques v tajné volbě propadla". iDNES.cz. 6 February 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
* ↑ "Zelení vsadí v kampani na podporu exprezidenta Havla či herce Hanáka". iDNES.cz. 14 February 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
* ↑ "Zelení spustili volební kampaň, Liška slaňoval z domu" (in Czech). TÝDEN.cz. 27 April 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
* ↑ "Liška zahájil kampaň zelených slaňováním" (in Czech). Novinky.cz. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
* ↑ "Skromnost a upřímnost, definuje kampaň zelených Liška". Parlamentní Listy. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
* ↑ "Kampaň s Ondřejem Liškou, předsedou Strany zelených" (in Czech). EnviWeb.cz. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
* ↑ "Naučíme vás žít zdravě, vzkazují zelení voličům" (in Czech). Žena.cz, magazín pro ženy. 24 April 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
* ↑ "Miloš Zeman: Tři procenta jsou dobrá, ale já chci do parlamentu". iDNES.cz. 6 January 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
* ↑ "Tlačenka a třešňovice. Vyráží Zemák, v němž je Šloufovo slovo zákonem". iDNES.cz. 9 March 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
* ↑ "Bobošíková "opsala" od Zemana zemák. Česko objíždí s Bobobusem". iDNES.cz. 22 January 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
* ↑ "Bobošíková bude v názvu strany. Suverenita se přejmenovala" (in Czech). Tiscali.cz. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
* ↑ "Volte podle Cimrmana, vzkazuje iniciativa Defenestrace 2010". Česká televize. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
* ↑ "Vyměňte politiky, vyzývá po Langerové i Kubišová nebo Geislerová". iDNES.cz. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "VELKÝ PŘEHLED: Strany vyhazují za kampaně desítky milionů. Podívejte se do jejich účetnictví". TV Nova. 14 October 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Rekordní účet za kampaň: až jeden a půl miliardy" (in Czech). TÝDEN.cz. 2 June 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
* ↑ "Duely s Paroubkem mohly víc pomoci Nečasovi, pravice je totiž rozdělená". iDNES.cz. 28 May 2010. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
* ↑ "Předvolební debata s lídry politických stran". Radiožurnál (in Czech). 25 May 2010. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
* ↑ "Nečas podle diváků duel vyhrál, říká průzkum ODS". Parlamentní Listy. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
* ↑ "Czech Vote Leaves Unclear Who Will Form Next Govt". National Public Radio. 30 May 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
* ↑ Carney, Sean (29 May 2010). "Czech Election May Produce Center-Right Coalition, Sidelines Communists". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
* ↑ Laca, Peter; Chamonikolas, Krystof (29 May 2010). "Czech Voters Choose Spending Cuts Amid European Debt Crisis". Bloomberg. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
* 1 2 Laca, Peter (29 May 2010). "Early Czech Votes Show Anti-Deficit Cabinet Possible (Update1)". Bloomberg. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
* ↑ Total voting results, Czech Statistical Office. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
* ↑ Janicek, Karel (29 May 2010). "Czech vote leaves unclear who will form next govt". Associated Press. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
* ↑ Flemr, Jan (30 May 2010). "Small Czech parties trigger political 'earthquake'". AFP. Archived from the original on 2 June 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
* 1 2 "Czech centre-right coalition likely". Al-Jazeera English. 30 May 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
* ↑ "Czech SocDem leader quits after poor election result". Reuters. 29 May 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
* 1 2 3 "Czech Republic voters move to right in general election". BBC News. 30 May 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
* ↑ "Stage set for Czech coalition government". CNN. 30 May 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
* ↑ "Czech SocDem leader sees right-wing coalition". Reuters. 29 May 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
* ↑ "Lidovci se do Sněmovny nedostali, Svoboda odstoupil". Novinky.cz. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
* ↑ "Svoboda rezignoval na šéfa lidovců, stranu zatím povede Šojdrová". Novinky.cz. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
* ↑ "Zelení vypadli ze Sněmovny, Liška a jeho vedení odstoupí". iDNES.cz. 29 May 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
* ↑ "Czechs Choose Budget Cuts Amid European Debt Crisis (Update1)". Bloomberg. 30 May 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
* ↑ "ODS navrhuje na Premiéra Nečase kongres svolá za tři týdny (in Czech)". Novinky.cz. 30 May 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
* ↑ "Začne oficiální jednání ODS, TOP 09 a VV o možné vládě". Parlamentní Listy. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
* ↑ "ODS, TOP 09 a VV podepsaly první prohlášení o společné vládě". iDNES.cz. 2 June 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
* ↑ Kopecký, Josef (28 June 2010). "Klaus jmenoval Nečase premiérem. Země má teď dočasně hned dva". iDnes (in Czech). Retrieved 28 June 2010.
* ↑ "Nečas může vládnout. Dohodu stvrdilo 3727 véčkařů v referendu, TOP 09 i ODS". iDNES.cz. 12 July 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
* ↑ "Koaliční smlouva je podepsána, prezident jmenuje vládu zítra". iDNES.cz. 12 July 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2018.