The Czech political scene supports a broad spectrum of parties ranging from the unreconstructed Communist Party on the far left to several nationalistic and non-parliamentary parties on the extreme right. The center-left Social Democrats (CSSD) emerged in first place in the 2002 elections and were able to form a government with a narrow parliamentary majority in a left-center-right three-party coalition. Former Prime Minister Klaus' Civic Democrats (ODS) and the Communists went into opposition. Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla (CSSD) led a three-party coalition government with a one-vote majority from 2002 through June 2004. He was replaced in August 2004 by Stanislav Gross (CSSD), who ruled until April 25, 2005. Upon Grossís resignation, President Klaus named CSSD Deputy Chair and Minister of Regional Development Jiri Paroubek as the new Prime Minister. Paroubekís government consists of the same three parties with the same one-vote majority. The next parliamentary elections are scheduled for June 2006.

The legislature is bicameral, with a Chamber of Deputies (200 seats) and a Senate (81 seats). With the split of the former Czechoslovakia, the powers and responsibilities of the now defunct federal parliament were transferred to the Czech National Council, which renamed itself the Chamber of Deputies. Chamber delegates are elected from 14 regions--including the capital, Prague--for 4-year terms, on the basis of proportional representation. The Czech Senate is patterned after the U.S. Senate and was first elected in 1996; its members serve for 6-year terms with one-third being elected every 2 years.

The country's highest court of appeal is the Supreme Court. The Constitutional Court, which rules on constitutional issues, is appointed by the president. Its members serve 10-year terms.

The Czech Republic maintains an embassy at 3900 Spring of Freedom Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, (tel. 202-274-9101).