page_title: History of Czechoslovakia (1989–92)
section_title: Following the Velvet Revolution
hierarchical_section_title: History of Czechoslovakia (1989–92) / Following the Velvet Revolution
caption_attribution_description: English: “Withdrawal of Soviet troops from Czechoslovakia”. Withdrawal of Soviet troops from Czechoslovakia in accordance with the agreement of 1990 between the Governments of the USSR and Czech Socialist Republic. Русский: «Вывод советских войск из Чехословакии». Вывод советских войск из Чехословакии в соответствии с соглашением 1990 года между правительствами СССР и ЧССР. Чехия
context_page_description: Although in March 1987 Gustáv Husák nominally committed Czechoslovakia to follow the program of perestroika, he nevertheless cautioned the party in October 1987 not to "hasten solutions too quickly" so as to "minimize the risks that could occur."
  On December 17, 1987, Husák resigned as head of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. He retained, however, his post of president of Czechoslovakia and his full membership on the Presidium of the KSC. Husák's resignation was caused by failing health and by increasing ambitions of the party members Miloš Jakeš, Ladislav Adamec and Vasil Biľak, which became apparent since the spring of 1987. Miloš Jakeš, who replaced Husák as first secretary of the KSC, was sixty-five years of age at the time of his assumption of the most powerful post in the country. Other than the age difference and the fact that Jakeš was a Czech whereas Husák is a Slovak, there was little to distinguish the new leader from his predecessor. In his first pronouncements as the head of the KSC, Jakes assured the KSC's Central Committee that he would continue the cautious and moderate path of reform set forth by Husák.
context_section_description: In December 1989, Husák, who had remained president after giving up leadership of the party, swore in a coalition government in which Communists had a minority of ministerial positions even though it was headed by a Communist. He resigned shortly after presiding over the formal end of the regime he had largely created.
  The first free elections in Czechoslovakia since 1946 took place in June 1990 without incident and with more than 95% of the population voting. As anticipated, Civic Forum and Public Against Violence won landslide victories in their respective republics and gained a comfortable majority in the federal parliament. The parliament undertook substantial steps toward securing the democratic evolution of Czechoslovakia. It successfully moved toward fair local elections in November 1990, ensuring fundamental change at the county and town level.
  Civic Forum found, however, that although it had successfully completed its primary objective—the overthrow of the communist regime—it was ineffectual as a governing party. The demise of Civic Forum was viewed by most as necessary and inevitable.
  By the end of 1990, unofficial parliamentary "clubs" had evolved with distinct political agendas. Most influential was the Civic Democratic Party, headed by Václav Klaus. Other notable parties that came into being after the split were the Czech Social Democratic Party, Civic Movement, and Civic Democratic Alliance.
caption: Withdrawal of Soviet troops from Czechoslovakia in accordance with the agreement of 1990 between the Governments of the USSR and Czech Socialist Republic
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