Constitution of the Czech Republic 424279 223723449 2008-07-05T13:22:22Z Kozuch 1339567 clean up + reference formating fixes, typos fixed: the the → the using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]] {{Politics of the Czech Republic}} The current '''Constitution of the Czech Republic''' ({{lang-cs|Ústava České republiky}}) was adopted on [[December 16]], [[1992]]. It replaced the constitution of [[Czechoslovakia]] ([[1960 Constitution of Czechoslovakia]]), which split into [[Slovakia]] and the [[Czech Republic]] by act of parliament on [[January 1]] [[1993]], through the so-called [[velvet divorce]]. The document is organized into eight chapters. Each, save the last, is concerned with a distinct aspect of government. The final chapter deals with a number of "interim" topics, which were largely resolved by [[31 December]] [[1993]], and currently have little bearing upon the governance of the Republic. [[As of 2008]], the constitution has been amended four times. Unlike the [[Constitution of the United States]], however, amendments are not placed at the end of the document but immediately incorporated into the body of the text. ==Chapter One== The first few articles of the constitution give basic form to the nature of the government of the Republic. It binds the government to a "respect for the rights and freedoms of man and citizen"; proclaims the [[Charter of Fundamental Rights and Basic Freedoms]] an "integral component of the constitutional system"; establishes the republic as a democratic, law-abiding state, deriving its sovereignty from the people; says that "majority decisions shall respect protection of minorities"; and enjoins the Republic "to a prudent utilization of natural resources and to protection of natural wealth". In this early part of the document, the constitution also allows for its amendment by a [[Constitutional act of the Czech Republic|Constitutional Act]], but forbids amending the constitution in any way that will compromise the Republic's standing as a "democratic, law-abiding state". Chapter One gives an outline of the Republic's duties towards international law, saying (in part) that conflicts between domestic laws and international laws binding upon the Republic must be resolved in favor of international agreements. The opening chapter concludes by defining the capital, national symbols, territory and rules of citizenship for the Republic. (Articles 1-14). ==Chapter Two== It vests legislative power in the [[Parliament of the Czech Republic|Czech Parliament]], consisting of two chambers, the [[Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic|Chamber of Deputies]] and the [[Senate of the Czech Republic|Senate]]. (Articles 15-53). ==Chapter Three== It provides for the ways in which specific [[executive power]]s shall be delineated between the [[President of the Czech Republic|President of the Republic]] and the government (as headed by the [[Prime Minister of the Czech Republic|Prime Minister]]). The chapter also outlines the nature of the [[indirect election]] of the President by the Parliament, as well as the limitations of presidential power in selecting a government. This section also includes a number of historically significant regulations with respect to the Czech Republic's accession to the [[European Union]] (Articles 54 -80). ==Chapter Four== The Constitution establishes the [[Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic|Constitutional]] and [[Supreme Court of the Czech Republic|Supreme Courts]], as well as the independence of the [[judiciary]] (Articles 81-96). ==Chapter Five== The constitution establishes The [[Supreme Control Office of the Czech Republic|Supreme Control Office]] (Article 97) ==Chapter Six== The constitution establishes the [[Czech National Bank]] (Article 98). ==Chapter Seven== The constitution provides the basis for local government, by dividing the territory of the republic into self-governing territorial districts, and regions (Articles 99-105). ==Chapter Eight== The document concludes by weighing in on a number of so-called "interim" issues which mainly applied to the Republic in its first year of existence. Chiefly, it specifically delineates what officers or laws of the former Czech government as a constituent part of the [[Czechoslovak Federal Republic]] remained in force until the Czech Republic produced new officeholders or laws under the provisions found elsewhere in the constitution. Of the provisions of this chapter, by far the most lasting has been Article 112 (1), which made the [[Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms]] (1991) a part of the constitution. This move has commonality with the way in which the [[Bill of Rights]] was quickly annexed to the US constitution, granting Czech citizens specific personal rights that would be extremely difficult for a future Czech government to abrogate. (Articles 106-113). ==See also== * [[Czechoslovakia]] - Constitutional development ==External links== * {{en icon}} [http://www.hrad.cz/en/ustava_cr/index.shtml Constitution of the Czech Republic] * {{cs icon}} [http://www.psp.cz/docs/laws/constitution.html Ústava České republiky] * {{en icon}} [http://test.concourt.cz/angl_verze/rights.html Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms] * {{cs icon}} [http://www.psp.cz/docs/laws/listina.html Listina základních práv a svobod] {{Constitution of Europe}} [[Category:Government of the Czech Republic]] [[Category:1992 in law]] [[Category:Constitutions|Czech Republic]] [[cs:Ústava České republiky]] [[pl:Konstytucja Czech]] [[ro:Constituţia Republicii Cehia]]