The Powers of the Government: Government, Czech Republic

The Czech Government is accountable to the Chamber of Deputies.

The Czech Republic’s legislature is bicameral and consists of the Chamber of Deputies (200 seats) and a Senate (81 seats).

The Senate (Senát Parlamentu České republiky) is the upper chamber of the Parliament, and its permanent residence is the Wallenstein Palace in Prague. Each of the 81 members of the senate is elected for six years. However, the general elections to the senate are held every two years, whereas in every elections only one third of the 81 members are re-elected. The candidate to the Senate, contrary to the Chamber of Deputies, is not required to be a member of political party.

Among the main powers granted to the Senate:

1. Suspending a law proposal, suggested by the Chamber of Deputies. This power is restricted, since the majority of the Chamber of Deputies’ members have the right to cancel it.

2. New laws’ proposing.

3. Participation in the President’s Elections.

4. Participation in the appointing the judges of the Constitutional Court.

The Czech Republic’s Senate is headed by a President (Přemysl Sobotka, ODS) and four Vice-Presidents. These positions are mostly representative.

Since the founding of the Czech Republic as the separate state, the powers and responsibilities of the federal parliament were transferred to the Chamber of Deputies (the former Czech National Council). The Chamber of Deputies is the lower House of Representatives among the Czech Republic Parliament, consisting of 200 members, elected for four years.

The Government of Czech Republic is the supreme body of executive power. Constitutional Act No. 1/1993 of the Czech National Council of 16th December 1992 reinforces its powers and responsibilities.

According to the Act, the Czech Government consists of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers. The act states that the Government shall be accountable to the Chamber of Deputies. The President of the Republic appoints the Prime Minister and other members of the Government (accordingly to the Prime Minister’s proposal).

The Government makes its decisions as a body; In order to be adopted, the majority of all its members must approve the Government’s decision. The Prime Minister is obligated to organize the work of the Government, preside over its meetings, act in its name and pursue other activities entrusted to him by the Constitution and other laws.

The Government may issue decrees for the implementation and within the scope of laws. The Prime Minister and the pertinent Member of the Government must sign all the decrees.