Civic Democratic Party

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Template:Politics of the Czech Republic The Civic Democratic Party (Czech: Občanská demokratická strana - abbreviation: ODS) is the strongest right-wing political party in the Czech Republic. In its public statements, it typically mixes eurosceptic and market liberal rhetoric, although it is often viewed as more moderate on both issues in actual policies.

The party was founded in 1991, after the Civic Forum split, by Václav Klaus and it is currently led by Mirek Topolánek. It led the Czech government in 1993-1997 and supported the government of the Czech Social Democratic Party in 1998-2002 under a power sharing agreement.

In the 2002 elections, it became the second largest party in the Chamber of Representatives with 58 of 200 seats, and for the first time in its history, assumed the role of a true opposition party. The current Czech president, Václav Klaus, was a member of the party, but the head of government is from the rival Czech Social Democratic Party. In the European Parliament elections in June and in Senate and regional assembly elections in November 2004 it was always a winner with over 30% votes.

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