Parliamentary elections were held in the Czech Republic on 31 May and 1 June 1996,^[1] the first after independence. The result was a victory for the Civic Democratic Party, which won 68 of the 200 seats. Voter turnout was 76.3%.^[2]

Quick Facts All 200 seats in the Chamber of Deputies 101 seats needed for a majority, First party ...

1996 Czech parliamentary election

← 1992 31 May and 1 June 1996 1998 →
All 200 seats in the Chamber of Deputies 101 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party Third party   Leader Václav Klaus Miloš Zeman Miroslav Grebeníček Party ODS ČSSD KSČM Seats won 68 61 22 Seat change 8 45 13 Popular vote 1,794,560 1,602,250 626,136 Percentage 29.62% 26.44% 10.33% Swing 0.11 pp 19.91 pp 3.72 pp   Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party   Leader Josef Lux Miroslav Sládek Jan Kalvoda Party KDU-ČSL SPR–RSČ ODA Seats won 18 18 13 Seat change 3 4 1 Popular vote 489,349 485,072 385,369 Percentage 8.08% 8.01 6.36 Swing 1.80 pp 2.03 pp 0.43 pp
Result of election
Prime Minister before election Václav Klaus ODS Prime Minister after election Václav Klaus ODS

Close

The campaign was primarily a conflict between the right-wing ODS and left-wing ČSSD. The ODS used slogans "Freedom and Prosperity" and "We proved that we can." ČSSD used slogan "Humanity against selfishness." ČSSD used an autobus called "Zemák" during its campaign. Party's leader Miloš Zeman campaigned with it at multiple places over the Czech Republic. ODS on the other hand used endorsements of public celebrities such as Lucie Bílá. Both parties used meetings with voters as their campaign instrument.^[3]