Dissolution of the Chamber of Deputies
28. 8. 2013The Chamber of Deputies was dissolved on 28 August 2013 by the President of the Czech Republic, Mr. Miloš Zeman. The mandate of Deputies, elected in elections that were held on 28 and 29 May 2010, has thus come to an end.
Deputies had proposed that the President of the Republic dissolve the lower chamber by a resolution adopted on 20 August 2013 which read: "The Chamber of Deputies hereby proposes to the President of the Republic to dissolve the Chamber of Deputies in accordance with article 35 (2) of the Constitution of the Czech Republic." This resolution was adopted by a vote of 140 Deputies in favour and 7 Deputies against, out of a total of 147 present Deputies (vote no. 6 of the 59th plenary session).
While the Chamber of Deputies is dissolved, the Senate may adopt “legislative measures“ in matters which cannot be delayed and which would otherwise require the adoption of a law (article 33, Constitution of the Czech Republic). The Senate is not authorized, however, to adopt legislative measures concerning the Constitution, the state budget, the state final account, the electoral law or concerning international treaties according to art. 10 of the Constitution. Only the Government may propose legislative measures to the Senate. Legislative measures of the Senate must be ratified by the Chamber of Deputies at its next first meeting. Should the Chamber of Deputies not ratify them, they shall cease to be in force.
Elections to the Chamber of Deputies shall take place on 25 and 26 October 2013. According to the President of the Republic, the session of the newly elected Chamber of Deputies shall be convened on 26 November 2013.