| Miloš Zeman | |
|---|---|
| 3rd Prime Minister of the Czech Republic | |
| 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 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 August 1944 Kolín, Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia |
| Religion | None (Atheist)[1] |
Miloš Zeman (Czech pronunciation: [ˈmɪloʃ ˈzɛman] ( listen); born 28 September 1944 in Kolín) is a well-known Czech politician. He was a member and leader of the Czech Social Democratic Party, former 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. Zeman transformed a weak Czech Social Democratic Party into one of the country's major parties along with the Civic Democratic Party.
He was replaced by Vladimír Špidla as party leader. Zeman then retired and moved to live in the countryside (Vysočina Region). His nomination for Czech president failed six months later (to Václav Klaus) due to party disunity. Zeman became an outspoken critic of former party's leaders.
He is known for his sharp, even insulting, speeches and wit. The Czech economy became stronger during his tenure as prime minister.
He left the Czech Social Democratic Party on 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 Klaus in Zeman's countryside home in September 2007, Zeman agreed with Klaus that human activity probably could not influence global warming.[2][3]
In October 2009, he founded the Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci.
The party received money from Zeman's right-hand man Miroslav Slouf:[4]
While denying allegations that it is financed by LUKoil, the party admits taking money from Russian-connected lobbyists. Chief among them is Miroslav Slouf, a former communist youth leader whose Slavia Consulting company brokered the LUKoil deal to supply Prague's airport. Slouf, who is known to be LUKoil's main promoter in the Czech Republic, also happens to be Zeman's right-hand man.
Slouf has been filmed on numerous occasions entering and leaving buildings belonging to the Russian embassy in the Prague 6 district.[5]
In June 2011, Zeman, referring to Islam, said "The enemy is the anti-civilisation spreading from North Africa to Indonesia. Two billion people live in it." He likened Muslims who believe in the Qur'an to antisemitic and racist Nazis. A complaint was lodged against him following the comments.[6]
| 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 |
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