Miloš Zeman

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3^rd Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
Miloš Zeman

In office 17 July 1998 – 12 July 2002
Preceded by	Josef Tošovský
Succeeded by	Vladimír Špidla
Chairman of Czech Social Democratic Party
In office 28 February 1993 – April 2001
Preceded by	Jiří Horák
Succeeded by	Vladimír Špidla

Born	August 28, 1944 (1944-08-28) (age 63) Kolín, Czechoslovakia

Miloš Zeman listen (help·info) (pronounced [ˈmiloʃ ˈzɛman]) (born 28 September 1944 in Kolín) is a well-known Czech politician. He was a member and used to be leader of the Czech Social Democratic Party. He was the speaker of the chamber of deputies (lower house of the Czech parliament) from 1996 until 1998, and the prime minister of the Czech Republic from 1998 until 2002. He was a frequent rival of Václav Klaus. He transformed a weak Czech Social Democratic Party into one of country's two major parties along with the Civic Democratic Party.

He chose Vladimír Špidla to replace him as next leader of the party. Zeman then retired and moved to live simple life in countryside (Vysočina region). His attempt to become Czech president half a year later failed (to Václav Klaus) due to party disunity. Zeman become outspoken critic of party leaders but his political influence is only marginal.

He was famous for his sharp, even insulting, speeches and wit. The Czech Republic began a mild economic growth during his tenure as prime minister.

He left the Czech Social Democratic Party in 21 march 2007 due to conflicts with the current leader and chairman of the Czech Social Democratic Party Jiří Paroubek. During a visit of president Václav Klaus in Zeman's countryside home in September 2007, Zeman agreed with Klaus that the human activity probably can't influence global warming: he is a climate skeptic. [1], [2]

Political offices
Preceded by Milan Uhde	Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic 1996–1998	Succeeded by Václav Klaus
Government offices
Preceded by Josef Tošovský	Prime Minister of the Czech Republic 1998–2002	Succeeded by Vladimír Špidla

v • d • e Prime Ministers of the Czech Republic

Czech Socialist Republic / Czech Republic (as part of Czechoslovakia): Stanislav Rázl \| Josef Kempný \| Josef Korčák \| Ladislav Adamec \| František Pitra \| Petr Pithart \| Václav Klaus Czech Republic: Václav Klaus \| Josef Tošovský \| Miloš Zeman \| Vladimír Špidla \| Stanislav Gross \| Jiří Paroubek \| Mirek Topolánek