Its preamble, in contrast to Slovakia, emphasizes the civil rather than national aspect of citizenship. Since the Czech Parliament rejected the proposal that federal deputies be transferred to the Senate, it remained unoccupied through 1994. Constitutional amendments require a three-fifths majority of all deputies of the Chamber of Deputies and of all members of the Senate present. The government is the supreme executive power. The president appoints the Constitutional Court of 15 judges for ten-year terms with Senate approval.
Constitutional amendments require three-fifths of all deputies.
Parliamentary deputies elected Vaclav Havel the Czech Republic's first president. Article 62 outlines his independent powers, which on close examination are quite limited, and Article 63 outlines those powers limited by prime ministerial signature. In sum, his powers are limited and can be the cause of confusion during an emergency. These include the prime minister, ministers of finance, foreign affairs, defense, interior, industry and trade, environment, and military officers from the Office of the President, Government, and General Staff. Note 5 In March 1993 the Government Office for Legislature and Public Administration declared that the State Defense Council could not exist as a state agency, but it could act as a consultative body to the president.