View source for Václav Klaus

{{Short description|President of the Czech Republic from 2003 to 2013}}
{{Distinguish|text=his son, [[Václav Klaus Jr.]]}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Václav Klaus
| image               = Václav Klaus Praha 2015 (2) (cropped).JPG
| office              = 2nd [[President of the Czech Republic]]
| primeminister       = [[Vladimír Špidla]]<br />[[Stanislav Gross]]<br />[[Jiří Paroubek]]<br />[[Mirek Topolánek]]<br />[[Jan Fischer (politician)|Jan Fischer]]<br />[[Petr Nečas]]
| term_start          = 7 March 2003
| term_end            = 7 March 2013
| predecessor         = [[Václav Havel]]
| successor           = [[Miloš Zeman]]
| office1             = [[Prime Minister of the Czech Republic]]
| president1          = [[Václav Havel]]
| term_start1         = 1 January 1993
| term_end1           = 2 January 1998
| predecessor1        = Position established
| successor1          = [[Josef Tošovský]]
| office2             = [[President of the Chamber of Deputies (Czech Republic)|President of the Chamber of Deputies]]
| term_start2         = 17 July 1998
| term_end2           = 20 June 2002
| predecessor2        = [[Miloš Zeman]]
| successor2          = [[Lubomír Zaorálek]]
| office3             = Leader of the [[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|Civic Democratic Party]]
| term_start3         = 21 April 1991
| term_end3           = 15 December 2002
| predecessor3        = Position established
| successor3          = [[Mirek Topolánek]]
| office4             = [[List of prime ministers of the Czech Republic|Prime Minister of the Czech Republic {{small|''(Federal part)''}}]]
| president4          = [[Václav Havel]]
| term_start4         = 2 July 1992
| term_end4           = 31 December 1992
| predecessor4        = [[Petr Pithart]]
| successor4          = Position abolished
| office6             = Member of the [[Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic|Chamber of Deputies]]
| term_start6         = 7 June 1990
| term_end6           = 7 March 2003
| office7             = Minister of Finance of Czechoslovakia
| primeminister7      = [[Marián Čalfa]]
| term_start7         = 10 December 1989
| term_end7           = 2 July 1992
| predecessor7        = [[Jan Stejskal (politician)|Jan Stejskal]]
| successor7          = [[Jan Klak]]
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1941|6|19|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Prague]], [[Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia]]<br />{{small|(now [[Czech Republic]])}}
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Civic Forum|OF]] (1989–1991)<br />[[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|ODS]] (1991–2003)<br />[[Independent (politician)|Independent]] (2003–present)
| otherparty          = [[National Council of European Resistance]]
| height              = 1.79 m
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Livia Klausová|Livia Mištinová]]|1968}}
| children            = [[Václav Klaus Jr.|Václav]] <br /> Jan
| relatives           = [[Zoë Pastelle]] (grandniece)
| alma_mater          = [[University of Economics, Prague]], [[Cornell University]]
| signature           = Vaclav Klaus Signature.svg
| website             = [http://www.klaus.cz/ Official website]
| caption             = Klaus in 2015
}}

'''Václav Klaus''' ({{IPA|cs|ˈvaːtslaf ˈklaus}}; born 19 June 1941) is a Czech economist and politician who served as the second [[president of the Czech Republic]] from 2003 to 2013. From July 1992 until the [[dissolution of Czechoslovakia]] in January 1993, he served as the [[List of Prime Ministers of the Czech Socialist Republic|second and last prime minister]] of the Czech Republic while it was a federal subject of the [[Czech and Slovak Federative Republic]], and then as the [[Prime Minister of the Czech Republic|first prime minister]] of the newly independent Czech Republic from 1993 to 1998.

During the [[Czechoslovak Socialist Republic|Communist era]], Klaus worked as a bank clerk and forecaster. After the [[Velvet Revolution|fall of Communism]] in November 1989, he became the Minister of Finance in the "government of national unity". In 1991, Klaus was the principal co-founder of the [[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|Civic Democratic Party]] (ODS).<ref name="Klaus CV">{{cite web|url=http://www.hrad.cz/cms/en/prezident_cr/klaus.shtml |title=Curriculum Vitae of Vaclav Klaus |access-date=10 July 2008 |date=5 March 2003 |publisher=Office of the President of the Republic |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624230526/http://www.hrad.cz/cms/en/prezident_cr/klaus.shtml |archive-date=24 June 2008 }}</ref> He was prime minister from 1992 to 1997, and from January to February 1993 he held certain powers of the Presidency.

His government fell in the autumn of 1997; after the elections in the spring of 1998, he became the president of the Chamber of Deputies (1998–2002). After ODS lost the parliamentary elections of 2002, he withdrew from politics briefly, before being elected President of the Czech Republic in February 2003. He was re-elected in 2008 for a second five-year term. His presidency was marked by many controversies over his strong opinions on issues ranging from [[global warming denial]] to [[Euroscepticism]],<ref>{{Cite news |first=Jan|last=Richter |title=A decade with President Václav Klaus|url= http://www.radio.cz/en/section/special/a-decade-with-president-vaclav-klaus|publisher=[[Radio Prague]]|date=7 March 2013}}</ref> and a wide-ranging amnesty declared in his last months of office, triggering his indictment by the [[Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic|Czech Senate]] on charges of [[high treason]].

Klaus left active politics after his second presidential term ended in March 2013 but continues to comment on domestic and foreign policy issues. He has expressed support for European [[Far-right politics|far-right]] parties including [[Alternative for Germany]], the [[Freedom Party of Austria]], and [[Fidesz]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-03 |title=Tschechischer Ex-Präsident Klaus schimpft über EU |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wissen/muenchen-tschechischer-ex-praesident-klaus-schimpft-ueber-eu-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-191002-99-133832 |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=Süddeutsche.de |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-18 |title=Tschechiens Ex-Präsident liefert Wahlkampfhilfe für AfD |url=https://www.merkur.de/lokales/garmisch-partenkirchen/garmisch-partenkirchen-ort28711/weniger-europa-mehr-nationalstaat-92407927.html |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=www.merkur.de |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Handelsblatt |url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/international/vaclav-klaus-im-interview-wenn-ich-deutscher-waere-waere-ich-in-der-afd/11348026.html |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=www.handelsblatt.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Vaclav Klaus bei FPÖ: "Man kann fast von Krieg in Europa sprechen" |url=https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000047823027/fpoe-symposium-zu-massenmigration-tschechische-schuetzenhilfe-fuer-hofer |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=DER STANDARD |language=de-AT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tschechischer Präsident: „Orbán ist der einzige glaubwürdige Politiker in Europa“ |url=https://ungarnheute.hu/news/tschechischer-praesident-orban-ist-der-einzige-glaubwuerdige-politiker-in-europa-94065/ |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=Ungarn Heute |language=de}}</ref> His political views have been referred to as ''[[Klausism]]''.

==Early life==
Klaus was born in [[Prague]] during the [[Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia|Nazi occupation]], and grew up in the large, then middle-class neighbourhood of [[Vinohrady]]. Klaus has claimed that he helped build barricades during the [[Prague uprising]] in May 1945, at the age of three.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lidovky.cz/klaus-vzpominal-na-prazske-povstani-jako-ctyrlety-jsem-stavel-barikady-1a8-/zpravy-domov.aspx?c=A100505_165842_ln_domov_hs|title=Klaus vzpomínal na Pražské povstání: Jako čtyřletý jsem stavěl barikády|language=cs|website=lidovky.cz|date=5 May 2010|access-date=24 October 2014}}</ref>

Klaus studied Economics of Foreign Trade at the [[University of Economics, Prague]], graduating in 1963. He also spent some time at universities in Italy (1966) and at [[Cornell University]] in the United States in 1969. He then pursued a postgraduate academic career at the State Institute of Economics of the [[Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences]], which, according to his autobiography, he was forced to leave in 1970.<ref name="kominek"/>

Soon after that he was employed by the [[Czech National Bank|Czechoslovak State Bank]], where he held various staff positions from 1971 to 1986, as well as working abroad in various Soviet-aligned countries, usually considered a privilege at the time.<ref name="kominek">{{cite web|url=http://www.bne.eu/content/story/vaclav-klaus-wrong-man-all-reasons|title=Vaclav Klaus – a wrong man for all reasons|first=Jiri|last=Kominek|work=Business News Europe|date=21 January 2009|access-date=24 October 2014}}</ref> In 1987, Klaus joined the Institute for Prognostics of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

==Rise to premiership==
Klaus entered Czechoslovak politics during the [[Velvet Revolution]] in 1989, during the second week of the political uprising, when he offered his services as an economic advisor to the [[Civic Forum]], whose aim was to unify the anti-government movements in Czechoslovakia and overthrow the Communist regime. Klaus became Czechoslovakia's Minister of Finance in the "government of national unity" on 10 December 1989.

In October 1990, Klaus was [[1990 Civic Forum leadership election|elected chairman of the Civic Forum]]. Two months later, he led [[Interparliamentary Club of the Democratic Right|supporters of a free-market economy]] into the break-away [[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|Civic Democratic Party]] ({{langx|cs|Občanská demokratická strana}} or ODS). Following a period of strong economic growth, Klaus led ODS to the largest vote share (29.73%) in [[1992 Czech legislative election|Czech legislative elections]] on 5–6 June 1992. ODS emerged as by far the largest party, with 76 seats, and Klaus thus became the first democratically elected [[Prime Minister of the Czech Republic]].

ODS also performed strongly in the [[1992 Czechoslovak parliamentary election|Czechoslovak federal election held the same day]], becoming the largest party with 48 seats, double the number of the runners-up, the [[Movement for a Democratic Slovakia]] (HZDS). However, ODS would still have needed support from HZDS to form a government. When he began coalition talks with HZDS leader [[Vladimir Meciar]], Klaus told Meciar that unless HZDS was willing to agree to a tighter federation, the only alternative was for the Czechs and Slovaks to form independent nations. As Meciar was unwilling to agree to the former option, on 23 July the two leaders agreed to [[dissolution of Czechoslovakia|dissolve Czechoslovakia]], to take effect on 1 January 1993.

Klaus led ODS to be the party with the largest vote share (29.62%) in the [[1996 Czech legislative election|1996 legislative elections]], and remained prime minister in a minority government. However, towards the end of 1997 he was forced to step down as prime minister by opponents in his party in connection with accusations of funding irregularities in the ODS.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Jan|last=Richter |title=Václav Klaus: the experienced and predictable|url= http://www.radio.cz/en/article/100524|publisher=[[Radio Prague]]|date=7 February 2008|access-date=9 July 2008}}</ref>

During his term as prime minister, President [[Václav Havel]] heavily criticized Klaus' policy of [[voucher privatization]] of previously state-owned enterprises. The policy was designed to bring about a speedy transition from command economy to free-market economy, but Havel cited the voucher privatization as a cause of the country's subsequent economic problems.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}}

==Leader of the opposition (1997–2002)==
At a party congress in late 1997, Klaus was [[1997 Civic Democratic Party leadership election|re-elected as chairman of ODS]] by 227 votes to 72 votes. The defeated faction subsequently left ODS, and in early 1998 established a new party, the [[Freedom Union (Czech Republic)|Freedom Union]] ({{langx|cs|Unie svobody}}), with President Havel's support.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}

ODS finished second in [[1998 Czech legislative election|early elections in 1998]], behind the [[Social Democracy (Czech Republic)|Czech Social Democratic Party]] (ČSSD). Either party could have formed a majority with the support of other parties, but Freedom Union chairman [[Jan Ruml]], despite his animosity to Klaus, refused to support ČSSD. Instead, Klaus negotiated the "[[Opposition Agreement]]" ({{langx|cs|opoziční smlouva}}) with ČSSD chairman [[Miloš Zeman]], his long-time political adversary. During the following legislative period, ODS allowed Zeman's ČSSD to rule with a [[minority government]], in exchange for a number of parliamentary posts, including the post of the [[President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic|President of the Chamber of Deputies]], occupied by Klaus himself.<ref>{{Cite journal|year=1998|title=Constitution Watch: A country-by-country update on constitutional politics in Eastern Europe and the ex-USSR|journal=East European Constitutional Review|volume=7|issue=3|url=http://www.law.nyu.edu/eecr/vol7num3/constitutionwatch/czech.html|access-date=9 July 2008|publisher=[[New York University School of Law]] and [[Central European University]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120060523/http://www.law.nyu.edu/eecr/vol7num3/constitutionwatch/czech.html|archive-date=20 November 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Opposition Agreement led to public demonstrations, particularly against an attempt to regulate [[Czech Television]]. This led Zeman to announce that he would not stand again for the post of prime minister.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}

In the [[2002 Czech legislative election|elections of June 2002]], ODS was again defeated by ČSSD under their new leader [[Vladimír Špidla]], who had previously opposed the Opposition Agreement, and instead formed a coalition with centrist parties. After a long period of deliberation, and even though ODS won [[2002 Czech Senate election|Senate elections in October 2002]], Klaus did not run for re-election as party chairman at the [[2002 Civic Democratic Party leadership election|December ODS congress]]. However, he was made honorary chairman of the party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ods.cz/akce/kongres.php?No=13| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512021623/http://ods.cz/akce/kongres.php?No=13|archive-date=12 May 2008|title=XIII. kongres ODS|publisher=Občanská demokratická strana|language=cs|access-date=8 January 2009}}</ref> Against his declared preference, Klaus was succeeded as party leader by [[Mirek Topolánek]].<ref>{{Cite news |first=Eva |last=Petržílková|title=Zprávy: Nástupcem Václava Klause v čele ODS se stal nečekaně Mirek Topolánek |url=http://www.radio.cz/cz/zpravy/35558#2|publisher=[[Radio Prague]]|date=15 December 2002|access-date=9 July 2008 |language=cs}}</ref>

==Presidency (2003–2013)==
[[File:Flag of the President of the Czech Republic.svg|thumb|Standard of the president of the Czech Republic]]
{{details|topic=election procedure and strategies|President of the Czech Republic#Electoral procedure}}

Having lost two general elections in a row, Klaus announced his intention to step down from the leadership and run for president to succeed his political opponent [[Václav Havel]]. The governing coalition was unable to agree on a common candidate to oppose him.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}

Klaus was elected [[President of the Czech Republic]] on 28 February 2003, in the [[2003 Czech presidential election|third round of the election]], in which both chambers vote together at a joint session of the Parliament by [[secret ballot]] between the two top candidates.{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}} He won with a majority of 142 votes out of 281. It was widely reported that Klaus won due to the support of Communist Members of Parliament, support which his opponent, [[Jan Sokol (philosopher)|Jan Sokol]], had publicly refused to accept. Klaus denied that he owed the Communists any debt for his election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/news-of-radio-prague-740|title=News|publisher=Radio Prague|access-date=16 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924062357/http://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/news-of-radio-prague-740|archive-date=24 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Use of vetoes===
Although Klaus regularly criticized Václav Havel for using his [[Presidential Veto]] powers to block laws and promised restraint, he used his veto more frequently than Havel.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://zpravy.idnes.cz/klaus-uz-prekonal-havla-vetoval-vic-zakonu-f26-/domaci.asp?c=A060609_124605_zahranicni_tha|title=Klaus už překonal Havla. Vetoval víc zákonů|work=Mladá fronta DNES|location=Czech Republic|date=9 June 2006|first=Tomáš|last=Havlín|language=cs|access-date=9 November 2009}}</ref> He vetoed the Anti-Discrimination Law passed by parliament in 2008, describing it as a dangerous threat to personal freedoms. He also vetoed a bill implementing the European Union's [[Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals|Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals]] policy, saying it was a burden for private businesses.

===Euroscepticism===

Klaus' [[Euroscepticism]], alongside his scepticism of [[human impact on the environment]] and [[climate change]], formed the cornerstones of his policy as president.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} He expressed the opinion that [[2004 enlargement of the European Union|accession to the European Union]] would mean a significant reduction of Czech sovereignty, and did not endorse either side in the [[2003 Czech European Union membership referendum|2003 accession referendum]], in which 77% voted yes.{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}}

[[File:2007 07 10 prezygenci polski i czech 04.jpg|thumb|Václav Klaus with [[Lech Kaczyński]] during his state visit to Poland in 2007.]]
Klaus has alleged a gradual loss of sovereignty for member states in favour of the EU. He promoted the publication of a text by the Irish Eurosceptic [[Anthony Coughlan]]. In 2005 Klaus called for the EU to be "scrapped" and replaced by a [[free trade area]] to be called the "Organisation of European States". He also claimed that the EU as an institution undermines freedom, calling the EU "as big a threat to freedom as the Soviet Union was".{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}} 
[[File:Václav Klaus and Boris Tadić in Belgrade, 2008.jpg|thumb|Václav Klaus with [[Boris Tadić]] during his state visit to Serbia in 2008.]]

In November 2008, during a stay in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] after a [[state visit]], Klaus held a joint press conference with [[Declan Ganley]], head of [[Libertas Institute (Ireland)|Libertas]], which was at that time campaigning for a "no" vote in [[Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2008 (Ireland)|a referendum]] on the [[Lisbon Treaty]]. Members of the Irish government called this an "inappropriate intervention", and "unusual and disappointing".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/1112/breaking27.htm|title=Martin says Klaus comments on Lisbon 'inappropriate'|date=12 November 2008|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=12 November 2008}}</ref>

====European Parliament====
{{over-quotation|section|date=June 2017}}
On 5 December 2008, members of the [[Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament]] visited the [[Czech Republic]] prior to the start of the Czech presidency of the European Union. They were invited by Václav Klaus to meet him at [[Prague Castle]]. The chairman of [[European Green Party|Green]] Group, [[Daniel Cohn-Bendit]], brought a [[European flag]] and presented it to Klaus.<ref name=shock>{{Cite news|
url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherbooker/3757520/Czech-leader-in-shock-after-EU-assault.html|title=Czech leader in shock after EU assault|first=Christopher|last=Booker|date=14 December 2008|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=UK|access-date=8 January 2009 }}</ref> Cohn-Bendit also said that he "did not care about Klaus' opinions on the Lisbon Treaty, that Klaus would simply have to sign it". This was criticised by some Czech commentators as "undue interference in Czech affairs".{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}

At the same meeting, Irish [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]] [[Brian Crowley]] told Klaus that the Irish people wanted ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon and were "insulted" by Klaus' association with [[Declan Ganley]] and [[Libertas Institute (Ireland)|Libertas]]. Klaus responded that "the biggest insult to the Irish people is not to accept the results of the [[Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2008 (Ireland)|Irish referendum]]".<ref name=dec5meet>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nationalplatform.org/wordpress/?p=103|title=Guess Who's Coming To Dinner: Václav Klaus, Cohn-Bendit, Pöttering, Brian Crowley|author=National Platform for EU Research & Information|date=7 December 2008|access-date=8 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223175216/http://www.nationalplatform.org/wordpress/?p=103|archive-date=23 February 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Crowley replied, "You will not tell me what the Irish think. As an Irishman, I know it best".<ref name=dec5meet/> British Eurosceptic journalist [[Christopher Booker]] wrote that the meeting "confirms the inability of the Euro-elite to accept that anyone holds views different from their own".<ref name=shock/>

On 19 February 2009, Klaus made a speech to the European Parliament where he criticized what he perceived as the [[Democratic deficit in the European Union|European Union's lack of democracy]], continuing integration and economic policies:

<blockquote>The present decision-making system of the European Union is different from a classic parliamentary democracy, tested and proven by history. In a normal parliamentary system, part of the MPs support the government and part support the opposition. In the European Parliament, this arrangement has been missing. Here, only one single alternative is being promoted, and those who dare think about a different option are labelled as enemies of European integration... There is also a great distance (not only in a geographical sense) between citizens and Union representatives, which is much greater than is the case inside the member countries. This distance is often described as the democratic deficit, the loss of democratic accountability, the decision-making of the unelected – but selected – ones, as bureaucratisation of decision-making etc. The proposals to change the current state of affairs – included in the rejected European Constitution or in the not much different Lisbon Treaty – would make this defect even worse. Since there is no European demos – and no European nation – this defect cannot be solved by strengthening the role of the European Parliament, either.<ref name=speech1>{{Cite web| url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/eplive/expert/multimedia/20090126MLT47169/media_20090126MLT47169.pdf|title=Speech of the President of the Czech Republic Václav Klaus in the European Parliament|first=Vaclav|last=Klaus|date=19 February 2009|publisher=European Parliament|location=Brussels|access-date=17 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=speech2>{{Cite web| url=http://www.klaus.cz/clanky/310|title=Speech of the President of the Czech Republic Václav Klaus in the European Parliament|first=Vaclav|last=Klaus|date=19 February 2009|website=klaus.cz|location=Brussels|access-date=17 November 2014}}</ref></blockquote>

After this point was made, a number of MEPs walked out of the chamber.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.ft.com/content/ae595a3a-feb7-11dd-b19a-000077b07658 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ae595a3a-feb7-11dd-b19a-000077b07658.html |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription|title=Czech president sparks MEP walk-out|first=Joshua|last=Chaffin|date=19 February 2009|work=Financial Times|location=UK|access-date=17 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?language=en&type=IM-PRESS&reference=20090218IPR49770|title=Czech President Václav Klaus questions ever closer European political integration in speech to the European Parliament|date=19 February 2009|publisher=European Parliament|location=Brussels|access-date=17 November 2014}}</ref> Klaus continued:

<blockquote>I fear that the attempts to speed up and deepen integration and to move decisions about the lives of the citizens of the member countries up to the European level can have effects that will endanger all the positive things achieved in Europe in the last half a century... Let us not allow a situation where the citizens of member countries would live their lives with a resigned feeling that the EU project is not their own; that it is developing differently than they would wish, that they are only forced to accept it. We would very easily and very soon slip back to the times that we hoped belonged to history.<ref name=speech1/><ref name=speech2/></blockquote>

====Eurozone====
Klaus was a frequent critic of centrally implemented economic policies in the European Union, and of the adoption of the [[Euro]] as the common currency of the [[eurozone]] countries. Around the 10th anniversary of the euro in 2008 he wrote in the ''[[Financial Times]]'' that "in practice, the existence of the euro has shown that forcing an economically disparate Europe into a homogeneous entity through a political decision is political engineering par excellence, far from beneficial for all countries concerned".<ref name=TemYears>{{Cite news |title=Ten Years of Euro: A Reason for Celebration? |url=http://www.klaus.cz/clanky/1415|work=Financial Times |date=12 June 2008}}</ref>

====Signing the Lisbon treaty====
Klaus long refused to sign the [[Treaty of Lisbon]], and was the last head of state in the EU to provide a signature. Other European leaders ignored his reluctance, stating that they would not consent to being "held hostage" by the Czech President.<ref name="FT1">{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/371d92e8-b3a1-11de-ae8d-00144feab49a |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/371d92e8-b3a1-11de-ae8d-00144feab49a.html |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription|title=Klaus opposition to Lisbon ignored|work=Financial Times|date=8 October 2009|access-date=16 August 2011}}</ref> The Czech Prime Minister [[Jan Fischer (politician)|Jan Fischer]], however, said that Klaus would eventually sign the treaty, saying: "There is no reason for anxiety in Europe. The question is not Yes or No, it is only when".<ref>''[https://www.ft.com/content/4f30f2aa-b345-11de-ac13-00144feab49a EU leaders brush off Czech threat to Lisbon]'', ''[[Financial Times]]'', 7 October 2009</ref>

In November 2008 Klaus said in an interview with the Czech Television that if he was the only person standing in the way of a treaty that all others agreed upon, he would not block it.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/eu/zpravy/klaus-lisabonska-smlouva-zmeni-postaveni-cr/346172&id_seznam= |title=Klaus: Lisabonská smlouva změní postavení ČR |date=25 November 2008 |work=[[České noviny]] |publisher=ČTK}}</ref> Václav Klaus signed the Treaty of Lisbon on 3 November 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zpravy.idnes.cz/dokument-prezident-klaus-vysvetluje-proc-podepsal-lisabon-pqc-/domaci.asp?c=A091103_161503_domaci_kot|title=DOKUMENT: Prezident Klaus vysvětluje, proč podepsal Lisabon|language=cs|date=3 November 2009|access-date=24 October 2014|website=idnes.cz}}</ref> However he never signed the addition to the Lisbon Treaty, the [[European Financial Stability Facility]] (EFSF), which was eventually signed by his successor as president, [[Miloš Zeman]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zpravy.idnes.cz/na-hrade-uz-visi-vlajka-eu-zeman-podporil-i-euroval-fwr-/domaci.aspx?c=A130403_075730_domaci_kop|title=Zeman na Hradě podepsal euroval, s Barrosem vyvěsil vlajku EU|language=cs|date=3 April 2013|access-date=24 October 2014|website=idnes.cz}}</ref>{{clarify|EFSF was never subject to ratification by Czechia|date=August 2019}}

===Views on Russia===
[[File:Vladimir Putin in the Czech Republic 1-2 March 2006-3.jpg|thumb|Vaclav Klaus and [[President of Russia|President]] [[Vladimir Putin|Putin]].]]

Klaus has sought cooperation with Russia on issues including energy policy.<ref name="kominek"/><ref name="Czech Power Games"/>

In the 1990s, Klaus promoted renewed oil and gas agreements between the Czech Republic and Russia, and opposed Czech attempts to develop other energy sources,<ref name="Czech Power Games"/> including the construction of a pipeline between the Czech Republic and Germany. According to former Czech secret service directors, he was warned by the secret service of Russian organized crime spreading into the Czech economy. In one scheme, oil was imported to the Czech Republic as heating oil and re-sold as diesel, creating huge profits for Russian businessman [[Semion Mogilevich]], alleged to be a key figure in the Russian mafia.<ref name="kominek"/>

In March 2006, Klaus was described by ''[[The Economist]]'' as one of Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]]'s "warmest admirers abroad".<ref>[https://www.economist.com/europe/2006/03/02/pretty-pictures Russia and central Europe – Pretty pictures]. 2 March 2006. ''The Economist''.</ref> Klaus was awarded the 2007 [[Pushkin Medal]] by Putin for the promotion of Russian culture. It was suggested that this was partly due to his use of the Russian language when speaking to Putin and Russian diplomats.<ref>{{cite web|author=Robert Eringer|title=Vaclav Klaus Exposed|url=https://recolumns.blogspot.com/2010/10/vaclac-klaus-exposed.html|date=5 October 2010|access-date=24 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006195045/http://recolumns.blogspot.com/2010/10/vaclac-klaus-exposed.html|archive-date=6 October 2014|author-link=Robert Eringer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author=ČTK|title=Czech president receives Russian Pushkin Medal|url= http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=288494|date=27 December 2007|access-date=9 July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=Daniela|last=Lazarová|title=News: President Klaus receives Pushkin Medal|url=http://www.radio.cz/en/news/99058#3|publisher=[[Radio Prague]]|date=27 December 2007|access-date=9 July 2008}}</ref> Klaus said that in relations with Russia there have been "challenges and successes, tremendous successes".<ref>{{Cite magazine |first=David |last=Burnett |title=10 Questions For Vaclav Klaus |url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1037613,00.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090103063841/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1037613,00.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 3 January 2009 |magazine=Time  |date=13 March 2005 |access-date=9 July 2008}}</ref>

On the other hand, in a May 2009 interview with ''[[Lidové noviny]]'',<ref>{{Cite news | title=Interview for Lidové Noviny |url= http://www.klaus.cz/klaus2/asp/clanek.asp?id=pMjdKgvT86mB |date=16 May 2009 |access-date=8 October 2009}}</ref> Klaus said that Russia was not a threat, but was still a big, strong and ambitious country, of which the Czech authorities should beware more than countries like [[Estonia]] and [[Lithuania]] should.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Andrew |last=Rettman|title=Tensions at EU-Russia Summit|url= http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/may2009/gb20090525_636914.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110418121150/http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/may2009/gb20090525_636914.htm|url-status= dead|archive-date= 18 April 2011|work=Bloomberg Business Week|publisher=McGraw-Hill|date=25 May 2009|access-date=25 May 2009}}</ref>

===Kosovo===
Klaus criticised [[NATO bombing of Yugoslavia]] during the [[Kosovo War]],<ref name="Czech Power Games">[http://www.rferl.org/content/Czech_Mate_How_Russia_Is_Rebuilding_Influence_In_The_Former_Soviet_Bloc/2168090.html Czech Power Games: How Russia Is Rebuilding Influence In The Former Soviet Bloc]. RFE/EL. 26 September 2010</ref> and was subsequently a frequent critic of the unilateral [[2008 Kosovo declaration of independence|Kosovo declaration of independence]]. During a visit to Slovakia in March 2008, Klaus stated his disagreement with the argument that [[Kosovo]] was an exceptional case, and suggested that the precedent set by the recognition of Kosovo would open a "[[Pandora's box]]" in Europe, leading to disastrous consequences. He compared the situation of Serbia to the 1938 [[Munich Agreement]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Kosovo threatens to cause split in Czech government|url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=03&dd=25&nav_id=48785|publisher=[[B92]]|date=25 March 2008|access-date=9 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607034144/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=03&dd=25&nav_id=48785|archive-date=7 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=Zoltán|last=Dujisin|title=EUROPE: To Recognise Kosovo Or Not|url=http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=41593|publisher=[[Inter Press Service]]|date=14 March 2008|access-date=9 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515032145/http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=41593|archive-date=15 May 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> When [[Serbia]] recalled its ambassador in protest at the [[Czech Republic–Kosovo relations|Czech government's recognition of Kosovo]], Klaus invited the Serbian ambassador to Prague Castle for a friendly farewell.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pressonline.rs/sr/vesti/vesti_dana/story/37342/%C4%8Cesi+ispratili+ambasadora+Srbije+uz+izvinjenja.html |title=Česi ispratili ambasadora Srbije uz izvinjenj|language=sr|publisher=Pressonline|access-date=16 August 2011}}</ref> During a visit to Serbia in January 2011, Klaus stated that as long as he was president the Czech Republic would not appoint an ambassador to Kosovo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blic.rs/Vesti/Politika/230605/Klaus-Dok-sam-ja-predsednik-nece-biti-ambasadora-na-Kosovu|title=Klaus: Dok sam ja predsednik, neće biti ambasadora na Kosovu |date=20 January 2011 |publisher=Blic Online|access-date=16 August 2011}}</ref>

===Re-election===
{{Main|Czech presidential election, 2008}}
Unlike previous Czech presidential elections, the election of 2008 was conducted using [[recorded vote|on the record]] voting rather than a [[secret ballot]]. This change was demanded by several Czech political parties after the [[2003 Czech presidential election|previous elections in 2003]], but opposed by Klaus' ODS,<ref name=Sight>{{Cite news|first=Geoff|last=Larcom|title=Prague's politics a sight to see|url= http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2008/02/pragues_politics_a_sight_to_se.html |work=[[Ann Arbor News]]|date=14 February 2008|access-date=9 July 2008}}</ref> which, having strengthened since 2003, had a comfortable majority in [[Senate of the Czech Republic|the Senate]] on its own, and only needed to secure a few votes in the House for the third round.

Klaus' opponent was the former émigré, [[naturalized]] United States citizen and [[University of Michigan]] economics professor [[Jan Švejnar]].<ref name=MI>{{Cite news|first=Karel|last=Janicek|title=U-M prof loses bid for president of Czech Republic |url= http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2008/02/um_prof_loses_bid_for_presiden.html|agency=Associated Press |date=15 February 2008|access-date=9 July 2008}}</ref> He was nominated by the [[Green Party (Czech Republic)|Green Party]] as a [[Pro-Europeanism|pro-EU]] moderate candidate, and also gained the support of the leading opposition [[Social Democracy (Czech Republic)|Social Democratic Party]], a small number of deputies and senators of [[KDU-ČSL]] and some independent Senators. The first ballot on 8–9 February 2008 resulted in no winner. Švejnar won the [[Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic|Chamber of Deputies]], but Klaus led in the assembly as a whole and only just failed to achieve the required majority.<ref name=Sight/>

The second ballot on 15 February 2008 included a new candidate [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]] [[Jana Bobošíková]], nominated by the [[Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia|Communist Party]]. However, without any further support, she withdrew her candidacy before the election,<ref name=MI/> and the second round ended similarly to the previous one, with Klaus remaining on 141 votes. Therefore, in the third round, where only a simple majority of all legislators present from both houses was required, Klaus won by one vote, with Švejnar receiving 111 votes, and the 29 Communists voting for neither.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Klaus re-elected Czech president |url= http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/16/content_7612647.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090112025911/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/16/content_7612647.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 12 January 2009 |agency=Xinhua News Agency|date=15 February 2008 |access-date=9 July 2008}}</ref>

Klaus's first term as president concluded on 7 March 2008, and he took his oath for the second term on the same day so as to avoid an interim without a president and allow Parliament to come to a joint session earlier. He therefore lost the day of overlap, meaning his second term ended on 6 March 2013.

===Resignation as honorary ODS chairman===
Václav Klaus resigned as Honorary Chairman of ODS at the party congress on 6 December 2008.<ref name="BB20081208">{{cite web |url=http://praguemonitor.com/breakfastbrief/BB20081208.pdf |title=Breakfast Brief |access-date=9 December 2008 |date=9 December 2008 |publisher=Prague Daily Monitor}}</ref> The following day his ally [[Pavel Bém]], the Mayor of Prague, lost a vote for the post of ODS chairman against Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek, by 284 votes to 162.<ref name="BB20081208"/>

===Chile pen incident===
[[File:Václav Klaus visiting ESO's Paranal Observatory.jpg|thumb|Václav Klaus visiting [[ESO]]'s [[Paranal Observatory]], [[Chile]].]]
In April 2011, Klaus was seen taking a pen during a state visit to [[Chile]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2011/04/14/czech-whos-watching-president-vaclav-klaus-pockets-a-pen-world-catches-him/ |title=Czech Who's Watching: President Vaclav Klaus Pockets a Pen, World Catches Him |last1=Wilson |first1=Jenny |magazine=Time  |access-date=14 April 2011 |date=14 April 2011}}</ref> The alleged theft, caught on television cameras, was widely reported around the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kansascity.com/2011/04/13/2799108/swiped-pen-is-an-international.html |title=Swiped pen is an international event |work=Kansas City Star |date=13 April 2011 |access-date=14 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraphtv/8449861/Czech-president-steals-pen.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110417115638/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraphtv/8449861/Czech-president-steals-pen.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 April 2011 |title=Czech president steals pen |work=The Daily Telegraph  |date=14 April 2011 |access-date=14 April 2011 |location=London}}</ref> According to Klaus, the incident was exaggerated, as official pens are normally free to be taken by official visitors, including in this case.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/zpravy/czech-president-says-pen-episode-in-chile-was-unnecessary/765507 |title=Czech President says pen episode in Chile was unnecessary |work=Ceske Noviny |date=8 March 2012 |access-date=2012-11-06}}</ref>

A spokeswoman for Chilean President [[Sebastián Piñera]] said the Chilean President's guests were free to take the pens from meetings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/apr/13/czech-president-steals-pen|title=Czech leader Vaclav Klaus caught stealing pen on Chile trip|last=Quinn|first=Ben|date=2011-04-13|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/czechrepublic/8449756/Czech-president-Vaclav-Klaus-caught-stealing-pen-during-press-conference.html|title=Czech president Vaclav Klaus caught stealing pen during press conference|journal=Daily Telegraph|date=2011-04-14|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

===Australian Parliament House incident===
In July 2011, President Klaus visited [[Canberra]], [[Australia]]. The visit was sponsored by the conservative Australian think tank, the [[Centre for Independent Studies]], and so was not afforded the diplomatic protocol of an official visit. While in Canberra Klaus was invited to an interview with the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] in their [[Parliament House, Canberra|Parliament House]] studios. On his arrival Klaus was requested to undergo the standard security clearance procedures required for normal members of the public; ABC staff tried to convince security staff to allow the President to bypass security but they refused, and so Klaus left the building.<ref name="ABC">[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-26/czech-president-bounced-by-security/2811236 Czech bounced: president denied entry to Parliament], Jeremy Thompson, [[ABC Online]], 27 July 2011</ref>

Klaus stated that it was not an issue of his passing through the electronic security system, but rather his treatment by the officials, as nobody had been there to meet him when he and his entourage arrived. After waiting for ten minutes in front of the building, a worker of the [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABC Television]] invited him in, where he was left "among perhaps as many as hundred school children". After another few minutes he found out that the whole group was waiting for a security clearance. Klaus refused to waste more time waiting in line behind the school children and offered ABC Television to conduct the interview in his hotel. This offer was declined by ABC as they were already set up for the interview in the Parliament House studio.<ref name="ABC"/><ref name="prague">{{citation|url=http://www.novinky.cz/domaci/240261-klaus-na-bezpecnostni-ram-jsem-nechtel-cekat-se-stovkou-skolaku.html?ref=zpravy-dne|title=Klaus: Na bezpečnostní rám jsem nechtěl čekat se stovkou školáků|publisher=[[novinky.cz]]|date=27 July 2011|language=cs}}</ref>

Klaus' approach was supported by the head of protocol in the Office of the Czech President, Jindřich Forejt, who described the incident as "incredible". Former spokesman for President [[Václav Havel]], [[Ladislav Špaček]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ladislavspacek.cz |title=Etiketa a komunikace |publisher=Ladislav Spacek |access-date=2012-11-06}}</ref> said that "it is absolutely out of place to check a head of state; it is disrespectful. I am not at all surprised that Klaus turned around and went off. He should not be there trying to argue with some operative that he is not a terrorist".<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.ceskapozice.cz/en/news/politics-policy/czech-president-backed-protocol-buffs-not-public-security-clash|title=Czech President backed by protocol buffs, not public on security clash|publisher=[[Czech Position]]|date=27 July 2011|access-date=27 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112175447/http://www.ceskapozice.cz/en/news/politics-policy/czech-president-backed-protocol-buffs-not-public-security-clash|archive-date=12 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Opposition to 2011 Prague gay pride parade ===
Klaus' aide said that "The prepared Prague gay carnival is a pressure action and a political demonstration of a world with deformed values," describing homosexuals as "deviants."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tabery |first1=Erik |title=In Prague, a Fight for Gay Rights Goes International |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/09/in-prague-a-fight-for-gay-rights-goes-international/245064/ |website=The Atlantic |access-date=27 June 2018 |date=14 September 2011}}</ref> The comments attracted widespread criticism from Czech politicians across the political spectrum, as well as from thirteen ambassadors. Klaus defended his aide's comments. Criticizing "homosexualism", he said that homosexuality is something to be tolerated but not celebrated.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gay pride in Prague|date=14 August 2012|url=https://www.economist.com/eastern-approaches/2012/08/14/gay-pride-in-prague |newspaper=The Economist |access-date=6 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Konviser |first1=Bruce I. |title=Czech Leader Is Isolated in Opposing Gay Parade |work=The New York Times |date=15 August 2011 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/world/europe/16iht-prague16.html |access-date=27 June 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Peterson |first1=Abby |last2=Wahlström |first2=Mattias |last3=Wennerhag |first3=Magnus |title=Pride Parades and LGBT Movements: Political Participation in an International Comparative Perspective |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CNFfDwAAQBAJ |publisher=Routledge |access-date=27 June 2018 |language=en |date=12 June 2018|isbn=9781315474038 }}</ref>

===Airsoft gun assault===
On 28 September 2012, Klaus was attacked during a bridge opening ceremony in [[Chrastava]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-19765533|title=Czech President Vaclav Klaus shot at with replica gun|website=BBC News|date=28 September 2012|access-date=24 September 2014}}</ref> While Klaus was walking through a thick crowd, shaking hands and chatting with bystanders, a 26-year-old man, Pavel Vondrouš, approached him and pressed an [[airsoft gun]] against the President's right arm, pulling the trigger seven times before disappearing into the crowd. Klaus was taken to the Military Hospital in Prague with what was described as "minor bruising" for treatment before being discharged. The attacker, a supporter of the [[Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia|Communist Party]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/president-klaus-in-shooting-scare|title=President Klaus in shooting scare|website=Radio Prague|date=1 October 2012|access-date=24 September 2014}}</ref> was detained after several minutes, but later released. Before he was taken into custody, he told journalists that he had done it "because politicians were blind and deaf to the people's despair". Vondrouš received a suspended sentence in June 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/ct24/domaci/230256-vondrous-dostal-za-strelbu-na-klause-podminku-jsem-mile-prekvapen/|title=Vondrouš dostal za střelbu na Klause podmínku: "Jsem mile překvapen"|language=cs|website=Česká televize|date=6 June 2013|access-date=24 September 2014}}</ref>

The lack of action from the President's bodyguards was heavily criticised, and the head of the President's security resigned after the incident.

===2013 amnesty and accusations of treason===
On 1 January 2013, using his constitutional powers, Klaus announced an [[amnesty]] to mark the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic's independence. The amnesty took effect on 2 January and released all prisoners sentenced to one year or less whose sentences had not been served, and all prisoners over 75 years of age sentenced to ten years or less whose sentences had not been served, as well as cancelling all court proceedings which had been ongoing for longer than eight years.<ref name=CTK>{{cite web|title=Czech President declares amnesty on 20 years of Czech Republic|url=http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/zpravy/czech-president-declares-amnesty-on-20-years-of-czech-republic/883710|website=České Noviny|access-date=2 January 2013}}</ref> By 11 January 6,318 prisoners had been released due to the amnesty, with other cases pending the outcome of court appeals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/zpravy/vezenskou-sluzbu-zatim-amnestie-stala-890-000-korun/887600|title=Vězeňskou službu zatím amnestie stála 890.000 korun|publisher=Czech Press Agency|date=11 January 2013|access-date=2013-01-11|language=cs}}</ref> In addition, dozens of high-profile long-running corruption trials ended due to the amnesty, causing the greatest public anger.<ref name="treason"/>

The extent of the amnesty was widely criticized in the Czech Republic, with the opposition demanding a [[vote of no confidence]] against Prime Minister [[Petr Nečas]], who countersigned it.<ref name=BBCamnesty>{{cite news|title=Czech president's mass prison amnesty draws protests|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20905896|access-date=19 January 2013|website=BBC News|date=3 January 2013}}</ref> Meanwhile, a comparison was drawn with actions taken by Klaus's predecessor, [[Václav Havel]], who ordered three amnesties while Czechoslovak and later Czech president (1989–2003). Havel's first amnesty of January 1990 was the largest post-war amnesty, freeing around 23,000 people, two-thirds of the total prison population of 31,000, on the grounds that they had been convicted by a communist court system.<ref name="CTK"/>

The amnesty sparked a public petition to persuade the Senate of the Czech Republic to charge President Klaus with [[high treason]] before the [[Constitutional court]],<ref name="treason">{{cite news|date=4 March 2013|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-21660234|title=Czech President Vaclav Klaus faces treason charge|website=BBC News|access-date=20 June 2017}}</ref> effectively [[impeach]]ing him.<ref name=NFPK>{{cite web|title=Appeal for Impeachment against President Vaclav Klaus according to Article 65 of the Constitution|url=http://www.klausovavelezrada.cz/en/|publisher=NFPK|access-date=8 February 2013}}</ref> Within 24 hours of its launch, it had accumulated 24,500 signatures, and by the beginning of February 2013, the petition had been signed by more than 64,000 people.<ref name=Aktualne.cz>{{cite web|title=Chtěji žalobu na Klause, mohou být v knize rekordů|url=http://aktualne.centrum.cz/domaci/politika/clanek.phtml?id=769788|website=Aktualne.cz| date=28 January 2013 |access-date=8 February 2013}}</ref> On 4 March 2013, the [[Impeachment of Václav Klaus|Senate voted to charge Klaus with high treason]], based on five cases in which he was alleged to have violated the constitution, including the amnesty, his refusal to sign the European stability mechanism and his alleged procrastination in nominating judges to the Constitutional Court. The following day, on 5 March, the Constitutional Court rejected a previous motion by a smaller group of senators to cancel the New Year amnesty, thereby removing the issue of the amnesty from the constitutional suit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lidovky.cz/ustavni-soud-odmitl-navrh-na-zruseni-cele-novorocni-amnestie-pum-/zpravy-domov.aspx?c=A130212_154128_ln_domov_hm|title=Ústavní soud odmítl návrh na zrušení celé novoroční amnestie|language=cs|trans-title=Constitutional Court rejected the motion to cancel the New Year amnesty|website= lidovky.cz|date=12 February 2013|access-date=24 October 2014}}</ref> Given that the sanction for treason committed by the Czech President is the loss of office, and Klaus' term was due to end the following day, the court's verdict was a mere formality,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/infos#1|title=Radio Prague, News, March 4, 2013|website=Radio Prague|publisher=Czech Radio 7}}</ref> but a guilty verdict would make Klaus ineligible for a third term of office in 2018.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/zpravy/czech-senate-charges-president-vaclav-klaus-with-high-treason/909367 |title=Czech Senate charges President Vaclav Klaus with high treason}}</ref> Klaus described the move as an attempt by his political opponents to tarnish his presidency.

==Post-presidency==
After his presidency ended in 2013, Klaus was named a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the [[Cato Institute]].<ref name="Cato">{{cite web|url=http://www.cato.org/people/vaclav-klaus|title=Václav Klaus|publisher=[[Cato Institute]]|access-date=2013-04-03}}</ref> His fellowship was terminated in September 2014, due to his views on the [[Revolution of Dignity]], his [[homophobia|hostility to homosexuality]], and support for European far-right parties.<ref name="Cato 2">{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/vaclav-klaus-libertarian-hero-has-his-wings-clipped-by-cato-institute/|title=Vaclav Klaus, Libertarian Hero, Has His Wings Clipped by Cato Institute|newspaper=[[Daily Beast]]|date=22 December 2014 |access-date=2014-12-22|last=Kirchick |first=James }}</ref>

On 9 September 2014, in an interview with Czech radio station [[Radio Impuls (Czech Republic)|Radio Impuls]], Klaus said that [[Ukraine]] is an artificially created state and that the [[2014–2015 Russian military intervention in Ukraine|Russian intervention in the country]] was part of a [[2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|civil war]].<ref name=Ukraine>{{cite news|url=http://zpravy.idnes.cz/klaus-o-situaci-na-ukrajine-ddy-/domaci.aspx?c=A140909_150517_domaci_cen# |title=West "dodged" Ukraine and Russia had to respond, says Klaus|website=[[iDNES.cz]]|date=9 September 2014|publisher=Mafra}}</ref> He continued by describing [[Euromaidan|Maidan]] as an "artificial event created by the West and the United States", in which Russia was forced to intervene.<ref name=Ukraine/> He added that in his opinion, Ukraine lacks the strong ties to keep the country together.<ref name=Ukraine/>

In the [[2018 Czech presidential election|2018 presidential election]], Klaus endorsed his former political opponent [[Miloš Zeman]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 January 2018|title=Klaus přišel blahopřát Zemanovi. Obává se, že poražení výsledek nepřijmou|trans-title=Klaus came to congratulate Zeman. He fears that the losers will not accept the result|url=https://www.novinky.cz/domaci/461759-klaus-prisel-blahoprat-zemanovi-obava-se-ze-porazeni-vysledek-neprijmou.html|website=[[Novinky.cz]]|language=cs|publisher=Borgis}}</ref>

In November 2024, Klaus received media attention after stating on [[CNN Prima News]] that female defence ministers are "absurd nonsense".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kabourková|first=Monika|date=7 November 2024|title=Ženy ministryněmi obrany? Absurdní nesmysl, říká Klaus. Motivují je prý i "nové detektivky"|trans-title=Women as defense ministers? Absurd nonsense, says Klaus. They are also motivated by "new detective stories"|url=https://cnn.iprima.cz/zeny-ministrynemi-obrany-absurdni-nesmysl-rika-klaus-motivuji-je-pry-i-nove-detektivky-452551|website=[[CNN Prima News]]|language=cs|access-date=27 November 2024}}</ref>

===Tricolour===
Klaus' son [[Václav Klaus Jr.]] was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in the [[2017 Czech legislative election|2017 election]] as a member of the [[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|Civic Democratic Party]]. Klaus Jr. was expelled from the party in 2019 following comments in which he compared EU directives to the [[Holocaust]]. He founded a new party, the [[Tricolour Citizens' Movement]]. Václav Klaus joined Tricolour and became the party's foreign relations adviser.<ref>{{cite web |title=Klaus starší, Mach a mažoretky. Trikolóra svolala ustavující sněm |url=https://echo24.cz/a/SUjtw/klaus-starsi-mach-a-mazoretky-trikolora-svolala-ustavujici-snem |website=echo24.cz |access-date=18 September 2019 |language=cs |date=10 September 2019}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Václav Klaus ml. přirovnal schvalování zákonů kvůli Unii k rozhodování o transportech|url=https://plus.rozhlas.cz/vaclav-klaus-ml-prirovnal-schvalovani-zakonu-kvuli-unii-k-rozhodovani-o-7786482
|access-date=27 April 2022 |language=cs |date=15 March 2019|website=[[Czech Radio]]}}</ref>

===Breach of Covid-19 regulations===
On 28 October 2020, at a celebration of the formation of an independent Czechoslovak state in 1918, Klaus [[Mask refusal|refused to wear a face mask]], in breach of COVID-19 restrictions introduced by [[Andrej Babiš' Second Cabinet|Andrej Babiš' government]]. Klaus described people who wear face masks as supporters of illegal migration, a more powerful European Union and a rapid adoption of the Euro currency.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.novinky.cz/domaci/clanek/rouskari-jsou-samozrejme-vitaci-migrantu-mini-klaus-sam-si-rousku-28-rijna-nenasadil-40342272| title=Rouškaři jsou samozřejmě vítači migrantů, míní Klaus. Sám si roušku 28. října nenasadil|date=14 November 2020 |work=[[Novinky.cz]]|publisher=Borgis}}</ref> In response, the Prague Public Health Office fined Klaus 10,000 CZK for not wearing a face mask in public.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.novinky.cz/domaci/clanek/vaclav-klaus-dostal-za-projev-bez-rousky-na-svatek-republiky-pokutu-trest-za-politicky-akt-protestuje-40349275|title=Václav Klaus dostal za neroušku pokutu 10 tisíc korun|date=28 January 2021 |work=[[Novinky.cz]]|publisher=Borgis}}</ref> In February 2021 Klaus tested positive for COVID-19.<ref>{{cite news |last=McEnchroe |first=Tom |title=Former president Václav Klaus tests positive for COVID-19 |url=https://english.radio.cz/former-president-vaclav-klaus-tests-positive-covid-19-8710244 |access-date=23 February 2021 |website=[[Czech Radio]]|date=23 February 2021}}</ref> He received treatment at home,<ref>{{cite web |title=Bývalý prezident Václav Klaus onemocněl covidem-19, léčit se bude doma |url=https://zpravy.aktualne.cz/domaci/byvaly-prezident-vaclav-klaus-onemocnel-covidem-19/r~dd456b3275fa11eb99faac1f6b220ee8/ |website=Aktuálně.cz |access-date=6 March 2021 |language=cs |date=23 February 2021|publisher=[[Economia]]}}</ref> and concluded quarantine on 6 March 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Václav Klaus ukončil karanténu, měl jen lehký průběh covidu |url=https://www.novinky.cz/domaci/clanek/vaclav-klaus-ukoncil-karantenu-mel-jen-lehky-prubeh-covidu-40353139 |website=[[Novinky.cz]] |date=6 March 2021 |access-date=6 March 2021|publisher=Borgis}}</ref>

==Other activities==
===Economic activities===
In 1995, while prime minister, Klaus was awarded the title of Professor of Finance by his alma mater, the [[University of Economics, Prague]]. Since then Klaus has occasionally given economics seminars at the university, focused on his free-market views.

His defining feature as an economist since 1990 has been his enthusiasm for [[free market|free market economics]], as exemplified by [[Friedrich Hayek]] and [[Milton Friedman]].<ref>{{cite web|author=John Fund from the June 1990 issue |url=http://reason.com/archives/1990/06/01/no-third-way-out |title=No Third Way Out – Reason Magazine |work=Reason |date=June 1990 |access-date=16 August 2011}}</ref> According to Klaus, legislation and institutions cannot be created before economic transformation, they have to go hand in hand.<ref>{{Cite news | url = http://ekonomika.idnes.cz/klaus-ceske-banky-delaly-pred-lety-stejne-chyby-jako-ty-americke-pred-krizi-1uz-/ekonomika.asp?c=A091111_130125_ekonomika_vem | title = Klaus: České banky dělaly před lety stejné chyby jako ty americké před krizí |work=Mladá fronta DNES |location=Czech Republic | date = 11 November 2009 | language = cs | access-date =11 November 2009}}</ref>

Since 1990, Václav Klaus has received nearly 50 honorary degrees, including from [[Universidad Francisco Marroquín]],<ref>[https://www.ufm.edu/cms/es/honorary-doctoral-degrees Honorary Doctoral Degrees] at [[Universidad Francisco Marroquín]] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501185429/https://www.ufm.edu/cms/es/honorary-doctoral-degrees |date=1 May 2011 }}</ref> and published more than 20 books on various social, political, and economic topics. Klaus is a member of the [[Mont Pelerin Society]]. He has published articles in the [[Libertarianism|libertarian]] ''[[Cato Journal]]''. On 28 May 2008, Klaus gave the keynote address at an annual dinner hosted by the [[Competitive Enterprise Institute]], a free market advocacy group in Washington, D.C., and received its [[Julian L. Simon]] Memorial Award.

Klaus was elected to become a foreign member of the [[Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2009&mm=11&dd=05&nav_id=390801 |title=Novi članovi SANU-a |publisher=B92.net |date=5 November 2009 |access-date=16 August 2011}}</ref>

===Climate change denial===
[[File:Václav Klaus 0392.jpg|thumb|Václav Klaus 2009]]
Klaus denies that [[global warming]] is anthropogenic. He has described the [[Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]] as "a group of politicized scientists with one-sided opinions and one-sided assignments",<ref name=Barillas20070310/> and has claimed that some other top-level politicians do not publicly express their doubts about global warming being anthropogenic because "a whip of [[political correctness]] strangles their voices".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/news/article_1261666.php |title=Czech president derogates UN global-warming panel |work=m&c News |date=9 February 2007 |access-date=8 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404031958/http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/news/article_1261666.php |archive-date=4 April 2012 }}</ref>

Addressing the [[Cato Institute]] in Washington in March 2007, Klaus expressed the view that "Environmentalism should belong in the social sciences, along with other "isms" such as communism, feminism, and liberalism", and compared environmentalism to a religion, or a "modern counterpart of communism that seeks to change peoples' habits and economic systems".<ref name=Barillas20070310>{{Cite news |first=Martin |last=Barillas |title=Czech president: Environmentalism is a religion |url=http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idCategory=33&idsub=128&id=8342 |work=Spero News |date=10 March 2007 |access-date=9 July 2008 |archive-date=31 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231054411/http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idCategory=33&idsub=128&id=8342 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In a June 2007 article in the ''[[Financial Times]]'', Klaus described environmentalism as "the biggest threat to [[freedom (political)|freedom]], democracy, a [[market economy]] and [[prosperity]]". He said that current political and scientific debates on environment issues were designed to suppress freedom and democracy, and asked readers to oppose the term "[[scientific consensus]]", adding that "it is always achieved only by a loud minority, never by a silent majority".<ref>{{Cite news | url = https://www.ft.com/content/9deb730a-19ca-11dc-99c5-000b5df10621 | title = Freedom, not climate, is at risk | first = Vaclav | last = Klaus | date = 13 June 2007 |work=Financial Times  | access-date =8 January 2009}}</ref> In an online Q&A session following the article he wrote "Environmentalism, not preservation of nature (and of environment), is a leftist ideology... Environmentalism is indeed a vehicle for bringing us socialist government at the global level. Again, my life in communism has made me oversensitive in this respect".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ft.com/klaus | title = Global warming: truth or propaganda? |work=Financial Times  | date = 21 June 2007 | access-date =9 January 2009}}</ref> He reiterated these statements at a showing of [[Martin Durkin (television director)|Martin Durkin]]'s ''[[The Great Global Warming Swindle]]'' organised by his think tank CEP in June 2007.<ref>{{Cite news | url = http://zpravy.idnes.cz/domaci.asp?c=A070629_084140_domaci_mr | title = Klaus uvedl film o podvodu s globálním oteplováním |work=Mladá fronta DNES |location=Czech Republic | date = 29 June 2007 | language = cs | access-date =8 January 2009}}</ref>

In November 2007, on [[BBC World]]'s ''[[HARDtalk]]'', Klaus called the interviewer "absolutely arrogant" for saying that a scientific consensus had been reached on climate change that included most of the world. He added that he was "absolutely certain" that in 30 years people would look back and be grateful to him for his stand on the issue.<ref>{{Cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/hardtalk/7091092.stm | title = BBC News Hardtalk: Vaclav Klaus | date = 12 November 2007 |website=BBC News | access-date =9 January 2009}}</ref>

At the [[2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference|September 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference]], Klaus restated his rejection of global warming, calling for a second IPCC to be established to produce competing reports, and for countries to be left alone to set their priorities and prepare their own plans for the problem.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.un.org/webcast/climatechange/highlevel/2007/pdfs/czechrepublic-eng.pdf |author=Václav Klaus|title=Notes for the speech of the President of the Czech Republic at the UN Climate Change Conference|date=24 September 2007|publisher=United Nations|access-date=8 October 2009}}</ref>

In 2007, Klaus published a book entitled ''Modrá, nikoli zelená planeta'' (literally: "Blue planet – not green"), which has been translated into various languages.<ref>{{cite web |author=Václav Klaus |url=http://www.fundacionfaes.org/en/documentos/gotagota/show/00786 |title=FAES – Foundation for social studies and analysis |publisher=Fundacionfaes.org |access-date=16 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104202706/http://www.fundacionfaes.org/en/documentos/gotagota/show/00786 |archive-date=4 November 2011 }}</ref> It was published in English under the title ''Blue Planet in Green Shackles''. The book claims that "the theory of global warming and the hypothesis on its causes, which has spread around massively nowadays, may be a bad theory, it may also be a valueless theory, but in any case it is a very dangerous theory".

At the [[2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference|September 2009 UN Climate Change Conference]], Klaus again spoke against the conference, calling the gathering "propagandistic" and "undignified".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE58L6ID20090922 | title=UN climate meeting was propaganda: Czech president | date=22 September 2009 |website=Reuters}}</ref>

On 26 July 2011, at the National Press Club Address, Klaus described global warming as "a communist [[global warming conspiracy theory|conspiracy]]".<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idKceFvO7AM  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/idKceFvO7AM| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live| title=President Vaclav Klaus of the Czech Republic at the National Press Club Address | date=26 July 2011 |agency=ABC  }}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 21 May 2012, Klaus addressed the climate sceptic [[Heartland Institute]]'s Seventh International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC-7).<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://heartland.org/ | title=President Vaclav Klaus of the Czech Republic, featured speaker   }}</ref> In August 2012 he delivered the Magistral Lecture to the World Federation of Scientists in [[Erice]], Sicily.<ref>{{cite web| last =Klaus| first =Václav| title =Manmade Contribution to Global Warming is Not a Planetary Emergency| work =SPPI Reprint Series| publisher =Science and Public Policy Institute| date =22 August 2012| url =http://scienceandpublicpolicy.org/reprint/not_planetary_emergency.html| access-date =10 November 2012| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20121031041609/http://scienceandpublicpolicy.org/reprint/not_planetary_emergency.html| archive-date =31 October 2012| url-status =usurped}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Václav Klaus is married to [[Livia Klausová]], a [[Slovakia|Slovak]] economist. They have two sons, [[Václav Klaus Jr.|Václav]], also a politician, and Jan, an economist, and five grandchildren.<ref name="Klaus CV"/>

==State awards==
=== National ===
*[[File:CZE Rad Bileho Lva 1 tridy BAR.svg|55px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of the White Lion]] (28 October 2019)
*[[File:CZE Rad Bileho Lva 1 tridy BAR.svg|55px]] Former ''ex-officio'' Sovereign of the [[Order of the White Lion]] (7 March 2003{{ndash}}7 March 2013)
*[[File:CZE Rad T-G-Masaryka 1tr (1994) BAR.svg|55px]] Former ''ex-officio'' Sovereign of the [[Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk]] (7 March 2003{{ndash}}7 March 2013)

=== Foreign ===
*{{flag|Austria}}: Grand Star of the [[Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria]] (15 May 2009)<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXIV/AB/AB_10542/imfname_251156.pdf | title = Reply to a parliamentary question about the Decoration of Honour | language = de | page=1922  | access-date = 4 May 2017 }}</ref>
*{{flag|Germany}}:
:*{{flag|Saxony}}: Recipient of the [[Order of Merit of the Free State of Saxony]] (17 May 2008)
*{{flag|Lithuania}}: Grand Cross with Chain of the [[Order of Vytautas the Great]] (9 April 2009)<ref>[http://www.lrp.lt/lt/prezidento_veikla/apdovanojimai/apdovanojimai_256/p40.html Lithuanian Presidency] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419212238/http://www.lrp.lt/lt/prezidento_veikla/apdovanojimai/apdovanojimai_256/p40.html |date=19 April 2014 }}, Lithuanian Orders searching form</ref>
*{{flag|Poland}}: Knight of the [[Order of the White Eagle (Poland)|Order of the White Eagle]] (10 July 2007)
*{{flag|Russia}}: Recipient of the [[Medal of Pushkin]] (27 December 2007)
*{{Flag|Slovakia}}: First Class of the [[Order of the White Double Cross]] (6 March 2013)
*{{flag|Spain}}: Collar of the [[Order of Isabella the Catholic]] (24 September 2004)<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2004-16686 | title = Royal Decree 1958/2004  | language = es | page=32136 | access-date = 18 May 2019 }}</ref>
*{{flag|Albania}}:Doctor Honoris Causa [[University of Tirana]], For the valuable contribution to the development of the Albanian state, 2010


==See also==
* [[Politics of global warming]]
{{Portalbar|Conservatism|Libertarianism|Czech Republic|Politics|Global warming}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{Wikiquote|Václav Klaus}}
* [http://www.klaus.cz/english-pages/ Personal website]
* [http://www.hrad.cz/en/index.shtml Official presidential website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110501185429/https://www.ufm.edu/cms/es/honorary-doctoral-degrees Honorary Doctoral Degrees], [[Universidad Francisco Marroquín]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624230526/http://www.hrad.cz/cms/en/prezident_cr/klaus.shtml Biography] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20040317235547/http://www.hrad.cz/cms/en/prezident_cr/klaus_projevy.shtml selected speeches] at the President's office
* {{C-SPAN|25488}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-new|party}}
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the [[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|Civic Democratic Party]]|years=1991–2002}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Mirek Topolánek]]}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Petr Pithart]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of prime ministers of the Czech Republic|Prime Minister of the Czech Socialist Republic]]|years=1992–1993}}
{{s-non|reason=Position abolished}}
|-
{{s-new|office}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Prime Minister of the Czech Republic]]|years=1993–1997}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Josef Tošovský]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Miloš Zeman]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[President of the Chamber of Deputies (Czech Republic)|President of the Chamber of Deputies]]|years=1998–2002}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Lubomír Zaorálek]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Václav Havel]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[President of the Czech Republic]]|years=2003–2013}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Miloš Zeman]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Václav Klaus}}
{{CzechPresidents}}
{{CzechPMs}}
{{CZ-Chamber-Presidents}}
{{President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic elections}}
{{ODS-chairman}}
{{Civic Democratic Party (ODS)|state=collapsed}}
{{Candidates in the Czech presidential election, 2003}}
{{Candidates in the Czech presidential election, 2008}}
{{Klaus Second Cabinet}}
{{Klaus First Cabinet}}
{{Libertas topics}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Klaus, Vaclav}}
[[Category:Václav Klaus| ]]
[[Category:1941 births]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)]]
[[Category:European liberal politicians]]
[[Category:Classical liberal economists]]
[[Category:Cornell University alumni]]
[[Category:Czechoslovak economists]]
[[Category:Czech libertarians]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Macroeconomists]]
[[Category:Members of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts]]
[[Category:Monetarists]]
[[Category:Politicians from Prague]]
[[Category:Presidents of the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Prime ministers of the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Finance ministers of Czechoslovakia]]
[[Category:Collars of the Order of Isabella the Catholic]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of Vytautas the Great]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the White Lion]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Grand Star of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Medal of Pushkin]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Merit of the Free State of Saxony]]
[[Category:Prague University of Economics and Business alumni]]
[[Category:People of the Velvet Revolution]]
[[Category:Cato Institute people]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2003 Czech presidential election]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2008 Czech presidential election]]
[[Category:Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic) presidential candidates]]
[[Category:KDU-ČSL presidential candidates]]
[[Category:Civic Forum politicians]]
[[Category:Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic) MPs]]
[[Category:Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic) prime ministers]]
[[Category:Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic) government ministers]]
[[Category:Presidents of the Chamber of Deputies (Czech Republic)]]
[[Category:Members of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic (1996–1998)]]
[[Category:Members of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic (1998–2002)]]
[[Category:Members of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic (2002–2006)]]
[[Category:Tricolour Citizens' Movement politicians]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the White Lion]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the White Eagle (Poland)]]
[[Category:20th-century Czech economists]]
[[Category:Member of the Mont Pelerin Society]]
[[Category:Impeached presidents]]
[[Category:Foreign members of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts]]
[[Category:Acting presidents of the Czech Republic]]