Constitution

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  • Country: Czech Republic
  • Language: English
  • Document Type: Domestic Law or Regulation
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Czec h Rep ub lic – C onstit u tio n
A do pte d o n: 16 Dec 199 2

Pre am ble
W e, t he cit iz en s of th e Cze ch Rep ub lic in Bohe m ia , M ora via , and Sile sia , at th e tim e o f the re n ew al o f an
in de pe nd ent C ze ch sta te , be ing lo ya l to a ll goo d tr ad it ion s of th e ancie nt sta teh oo d o f C ze ch Cro w n’s La nd s
and the Cze cho slo va k Sta te , re so lv ed to b uild , pro te ct an d deve lo p th e Cze ch Rep ub lic in the sp ir it of t he
in vio la ble va lu es of hum an d ig nit y an d fr e e do m, as th e ho me of equa l a nd fr ee cit iz e n s who a re con sc iou s of
the ir du tie s to w ard s oth e rs an d the ir re sp o nsib ili ty to w ard s th e who le , as a fr ee an d de m ocra tic sta te ba sed
on the re spe ct fo r hu man rig h ts and th e p rin cip le s of civ ic s ocie ty , as pa rt of t he fa m il y of E uro pea n an d
w orld de mocra cie s , re so lv e d to jo in tly pro te ct an d de ve lo p the inh erit e d natu ra l a n d cu lt u ra l, m ate ria l an d
sp ir it u al w ea lt h , re so lv ed to abide by all tim e -tr ied p rin cip le s of a la w -ob se rv ing sta te , th rough o ur fr e ely
e le cte d rep re se nta tiv e s, adop t th is Con stit u tion o f th e Cze ch Rep ub lic .
C hap te r O ne Bas ic Pro vis ion s
Artic le 1 [S ta te ] T he Cze ch Rep ublic is a so ve re ig n, un if ied , and de mocra tic la w -ob se rv ing sta te , base d on the re sp e ct f or
the righ ts an d fr e e do ms of t he in d iv id u al a nd cit iz en .
Artic le 2 [P ow er] (1 ) A ll sta te pow er deriv e s fr o m th e pe op le ; t he y exe rc is e th is pow er by m ea ns of t heir le g is la tiv e , exe cu tiv e ,
an d ju d ic ia l bo die s.
(2 ) A co n stit u tio n al l aw may s tip ula te the ca se s whe n the pe ople e xe rc is e sta te p ow er dir e ctly .
(3 ) The sta te po wer se rv e s all cit iz en s an d can be e xe rc is e d on ly in ca se s an d wit h in the sc ope stipu la te d b y
la w , and by m ea ns s pecif ie d by la w .
(4 ) E ve ry cit iz en may do whate ve r is not fo rb id d en by la w , and n o on e may be fo rc e d to do wha t th e la w
do es no t enjo in .
A rtic le 3 [C on stit u tio n al O rd er] P art of th e con stit u tion al o rde r of the Cze ch Rep ub lic is th e Cha rte r of F und am enta l Ri ghts and Free dom s.
A rtic le 4 [J u dic ia ry ‘s Pro tec tion ] The fund am enta l rig hts and fr eed om s enjo y the p ro te ctio n of t he Jud ic ia ry .
A rtic le 5 [P olitic al S ys te m ] The po litic a l sys te m is ba se d on th e fr ee an d vo lun ta ry fo u nda tion an d fr ee co m pe tit io n of politic a l p artie s
re sp e ctin g fu n da men ta l d e m ocra tic prin cip le s and re je ctin g fo rc e a s a mean s fo r ass e rting th e ir in te re sts .
A rtic le 6 [Majo rit y Rule ] P olit ic a l d ecis i on s sha ll de riv e fr o m th e will of t he majo rit y exp re ss ed th roug h fr e e vo tin g. M ino rit ie s s hall be
pro te cted b y the majo rit y in de cis ion -m akin g.
A rtic le 7 [N atu ra l R es ou rc es ] The sta te sh a ll see to it tha t natu ra l re sou rc e s are u se d e co n om ic a ll y and na tu ra l w ea lt h is pro te cte d.
A rtic le 8 [A utono my] T he au to n om y of un it s of t errit o ria l se lf -ad min is tr a tio n sh a ll be gu aran tee d.
A rtic le 9 [C on stit u tio n al L aw s] (1 ) The Con stit u tion may be a men ded o r alt e re d so le ly by con stit u tiona l law s.
(2 ) A ny cha nge o f fund am en ta l a tt rib ute s of the de mocra tic la w -ob se rv ing sta te is in a dm is sib le .
(3 ) Lega l no rm s c an no t be in te rp re ted a s warr antin g th e re m ova l o r th re ate ning o f the fo und atio n s of the
de mocra tic s ta te .
A rtic le 1 0 [H um an Righ ts Tre a ties ] Ratif ied and p ro m ulga te d in te rn a tion al a cco rd s on h um an righ ts an d fun dam enta l fr e ed om s, t o whic h th e
C ze ch Repu blic ha s c omm it t ed it s e lf , are imm ed ia te ly bind in g and a re supe rio r to la w .
Artic le 1 1 [T err it o ry ] T he te rr it o ry of the Cze ch Rep ub lic enco m pass e s an in d iv is ib le whol e who se sta te bo rde r m ay be alt e re d
exclu siv e ly by co nstit u tion al l aw s.
A rtic le 1 2 [C it iz e n sh ip ] (1 ) P ro ce d ure s bind ing fo r th e acq u is it io n and lo ss of C ze ch cit iz en sh ip a re stipu la te d b y la w .
(2 ) N o one ca n be str ipp ed of his or he r cit iz en sh ip a ga in st h is or he r w ill.
A rtic le 1 3 [C ap it a l] T he ca pit a l o f t he Cze ch Rep ub lic is Prag ue.
A rtic le 1 4 [S ta te Sym bo ls ] (1 ) The Sta te Sym bols of t he Cze ch Rep ub lic are the La rg e and Sm all S ta te Em ble m s, t he Sta te Colo rs , th e

Sta te Flag , the Bann er of th e Pre sid en t of the Repu blic , th e Sta te Sea l, and th e Sta te Anthe m.
(2 ) The sta te sym bo ls and th eir use are de te rm ine d b y la w .
Chap te r Tw o Leg is la tiv e Pow er
A rtic le 1 5 [P arli am en t] (1 ) Leg is la tiv e pow er in the Cze ch Rep ub lic s hall be ve sted in Parlia m en t.
( 2 ) P arli a m en t is c om po se d of tw o Cha mbe rs , t he Cha mbe r of D ep utie s and th e Sen ate .
A rtic le 1 6 [C ham bers ] (1 ) The Cha mbe r of D epu tie s ha s 200 dep utie s, ele cte d fo r a te rm of fou r yea rs .
(2 ) The Sen ate h as 81 Sen ato rs , ele cte d fo r a te rm of six ye a rs . O ne th ir d o f th e Sen ato rs is ele cted e ve ry
s e co n d ye a r.
A rtic le 1 7 [E lec tion s] (1 ) E le ctio ns to bo th Cha mbe rs s ha ll be h eld in a pe rio d of tim e sta rtin g the th ir tie th da y be fo re th e exp ir a tion
o f t he e le cto ra l te rm and end ing on the da y of it s exp ir a tio n.
(2 ) If th e Cha m be r of D ep utie s was dis so lv ed , ele ction s sha ll ta ke pla ce wit h in six ty da ys of it s dis so lu tio n .
A rtic le 1 8 [S uff r a g e] (1 ) E le ctio ns to the Cham ber of D epu tie s s hall be he ld on th e basis of un iv e rs a l, eq ua l, an d d ir e ct su ff r ag e
by se cre t ballo t, acc o rd in g to the p rin cip le s of pro p ortiona l re p re sen ta tion .
(2 ) E le ctio ns to the Sena te sh a ll ta ke p la ce on th e ba sis of un iv e rs a l, eq ua l, an d dir e ct su ff r ag e b y se cre t
ba llo t, on th e ba sis of the majo rit y sys te m .
(3 ) E ve ry cit iz en o f the Cze ch Repu blic , on re ach in g th e age o f
18, ha s the rig h t t o vo te .
A rtic le 1 9 [E lig ib il i t y ] (1 ) E ve ry cit iz en o f the Cze ch Repu blic who is elig ib le to vo te and ha s rea ched the age o f 21 may be e le cted
t o the Cham be r of D ep utie s.
(2 ) E ve ry cit iz en who is elig ib le to vo te an d ha s rea c h ed th e age of 40 may be ele cted to the Sena te .
(3 ) The mand ate o f a Depu ty or a Sena to r sh a ll be eff ectiv e u pon h is or he r ele ction .
Artic le 2 0 [C on dit ion s] A dd it io n al co n dit ion s fo r th e exe rc is e of su ff rag e, th e orga niz a tion o f ele ction s, and the sc ope o f jud ic ia l
re vie w are stipu la ted by la w .
Artic le 2 1 [C ham ber In co m patib il it y ] N o on e may sim ult an eo usly be a mem be r of both Cha mbers of P arli a m ent.
A rtic le 2 2 [In co m patib il i t ies ] (1 ) The exe rc is e of th e off ic e of t he Pre side nt of the Repu blic , th e o ff i c e of judg es, and o th er fu nction s, se t
fo rth b y la w , are in co m pa tib le wit h th e po st of D ep uty or S en ato r.
(2 ) A Dep uty ‘s or a Sena to r’s m anda te e xp ir e s the da y he o r sh e en te rs up on th e off ic e o f the Pre siden t of
the Rep ublic , or th e da y he o r sh e a ss u m es a judg esh ip or an oth er po st in co m pa tib le wit h the po st of D ep uty
o r S en ato r.
A rtic le 2 3 [O ath s] (1 ) A Dep uty sh a ll ta ke the oa th a t the fir s t se ss ion o f the Cham be r of D ep utie s whic h he or she att end s.
(2 ) A Sena to r sh all ta ke the oa th at the fir s t se ssio n o f the Sena te whic h he o r sh e a tt end s.
(3 ) The oath of a Dep uty or a Sen ato r is word ed a s fo llo w s:
“I pledg e alle g ia nce to the Cze ch Rep ub lic . I pled ge to uph old it s Constit u tio n an d la w s. I pled ge on my
ho nor to exe rc is e my m and ate in the in te re st of th e pe ople and in acc o rd a nce wit h my be st co nvic tio n and
co nsc ien ce .”
A rtic le 2 4 [R es ign ation ] A Depu ty or a Sena to r m ay su rr end er his or he r m an da te by a de cla ra tion made pe rs o na ll y at a se ss ion of
the Cha mber of w hic h he or sh e is a mem ber. I f he or she i s pre ve nte d fr o m doin g so b y se rio u s
cir c u m sta nce s, he or she may do so b y a meth od se t fo rth by la w .
Artic le 2 5 [E xp ir a tio n] A Depu ty ‘s or a Sen ato r’s m and ate exp ir e s up on
a) re fu sing to ta ke th e oa th o r ta kin g th e oa th wit h re se rv a tion s,
b ) the e xp ir a ti on o f the te rm of off ic e ,
c) the re sig n atio n ,
d) the lo ss of elig ib ili ty ,
e ) the d is s o lu tion o f the Cha mbe r of D epu tie s, in th e ca se of dep utie s,
f) th e in co m pa tib il it y of t he fu n ction s s pecif ied in Artic le 22 .
A rtic le 2 6 [Ind ep end en ce] D epu tie s an d Sena to rs s hall exe rc is e the ir m and ate s pe rs on all y in acco rda nce wit h th e ir oath and sh a ll no t
be b oun d by an y dir e ctio ns.
A rtic le 2 7 [Ind em nit y , Im m un it y ] (1 ) A Dep uty or a Sen ato r m ay no t be pro se cu t ed fo r vo tin g in th e
C ham be r of D ep utie s or th e Sen ate o r the ir bo die s.

(2 ) A Dep uty or a Sen ato r m ay no t be pro se cu te d fo r sta te m en ts m ad e in th e Cha m be r of D epu tie s or th e
S en ate o r th eir bod ie s. A Dep uty or a Sen ato r is only accou nta ble to th e d is c ip lin a ry au tho rit y of th e
C ham be r of w hic h he o r sh e is a mem be r.
(3 ) A Dep uty or a Sen ato r sh a ll be a cco u ntab le fo r his or he r m is d em ea no r on ly to th e dis cip li n a ry au th o rit y
o f t he Cham be r of w hic h he or sh e is a mem be r, un le ss de te rm in ed o th erw is e b y la w .
(4 ) A Dep uty or a Sena to r m ay no t be crim in a ll y pro se cu te d wit h o ut co nse nt of t he Cha mber of w hic h he o r
sh e is a mem ber. I f the re spe ctiv e Cha mbe r de clin es it s con sen t, crim ina l p ro ce ed in gs are rend ered
im possib le fo re ve r.
( 5 ) A Dep uty or a Sen ato r m ay be ta k e n in to cu stod y on ly if ca ugh t w hile co m m it tin g a crim in a l o ff en ce o r
im m ed ia te ly the re aft e r. T he re spon sib le b ody is ob li g e d to imm ed ia te ly notif y of th e de te n tio n the Cha irm an
of t he Cham be r of w hic h th e d eta in e e is a mem be r; if t he Cham be r© s Cha ir m an f ails to g iv e h is or her
co nse nt to hand in g the de ta ine e ove r to co u rt w it h in 24 ho urs of t he d ete ntio n, the re spon sib le bo dy is
ob lige d to se t him or he r fr e e . T he Cha mber sh a ll de cid e wit h fin a l au th o rit y abou t th e ad m is sib ili ty of t he
pro se cu tion a t it s fir s t fo llo w ing se ssio n.
A rtic le 2 8 [S ec rec y] A Depu ty or a Sena to r is en tit led to wit hh old te stim on y abo ut m att e rs of w hic h he o r she lea rn ed in
c o nne ctio n wit h the e xe rc is e o f his or he r m and ate , eve n a ft e r he or sh e ce ase d to be a Dep uty or a Sen ato r.
A rtic le 2 9 [C hairm en ] (1 ) The Cha mbe r of D epu tie s ele cts and d is m is se s the Chairm an a nd Vic e Cha ir m en of t he Cham be r of
D epu tie s.
(2 ) The Sen ate e le cts and d is m iss es th e Cha irm an an d Vic e Cha ir m en of t he Sen ate .
A rtic le 3 0 [In ve s tig ato ry Com miss ion ] (1 ) T he Cham ber of D ep utie s m ay se t up an in ve stig ato ry co mm iss io n fo r th e in ve stiga tion o f an aff a ir of
pu blic in te re st if th is is su g ge ste d by at la st one fif t h of de pu tie s.
(2 ) P ro ce e din gs befo re th e co mm is s ion sh a ll be d ete rm in ed by la w .
Artic le 3 1 [C om m i tt ees ] (1 ) The Cha mbe rs esta blis h co m m it te es an d co mm iss io ns as the ir bo die s.
(2 ) The activ it ie s of co mm itt ee s and co mm is sio ns s hall be de te rm in e d by la w .
Artic le 3 2 [G ove rn m en ta l I nco m patib il i t y ] A Depu ty or a Sena to r w ho is a mem ber of th e Gove rn m en t m a y no t be th e Cha ir m an or V ic e Cha ir m an of
the Cha mber of D epu tie s or the Sena te , or a mem be r of P arli a m en ta ry co mm it te e s, in ve stig a to ry
c o m mis sio n , or co m mis sio n s.
A rtic le 3 3 [L eg is la tion ] (1 ) If th e Cham be r of D ep utie s is dis so lv e d , t he Sen ate sha ll be r espon sib le fo r adop ting le g is la tiv e
m ea su re s in matt ers whic h cann ot be po stp oned a nd whic h wou ld o the rw is e requ ir e the ado ptio n of a la w .
(2 ) The Sen ate , ho weve r, cann ot ad opt leg is la tiv e mea su re s on matt ers of t he Con stit u tio n, the sta te budg et,
the sta t e an nua l a cc oun t, t he e le ctio n la w , an d in te rn atio na l ag re em ents acc o rd in g to Artic le 10 .
( 3 ) O nly th e Gove rn m en t m ay pro po se leg is la tiv e mea su re s to the Sena te .
(4 ) The Cha ir m an of t he Sen ate , t h e Pre sid en t of th e Rep ub lic and th e Pre m ie r sh a ll s ig n le gis la tiv e
m ea su re s of the Sena te th e se
m ea su re s are p ro m ulga ted lik e la w s.
(5 ) A leg is la tiv e measu re o f the Sena te must be ap pro ved by the Cham be r of D ep utie s at it s fir s t se ss ion . If
t he Cha mber of D epu tie s do e s no t app ro ve it , t he mea su re lo se s fu rth e r va lid it y .
A rtic le 3 4 [S es sion s]

(1 ) The Cha mbe rs are co ntinu all y in se ss ion . A se ssio n o f th e Cha mbe r of D epu tie s is ca lle d by th e
P re sid en t of th e Rep ublic so tha t it be sta rted no la te r th an th e t hir tie th da y aft er th e ele ction d ay. I f he fa ils to
do so , the Cha mber of D epu tie s s hall m ee t on th e th ir tie th da y aft e r th e ele ction d ay.
(2 ) A se ssio n of a Cha m ber m ay be ad jo urn e d by re so lu tion . T he to ta l p erio d fo r w hic h a se ssio n may be
ad jo urn e d sha l l n ot exce ed 120 d a ys in one y e ar.
(3 ) D urin g the pe riod o f ad jou rn m ent, t he Cha irm an of t he Cha mbe r of D ep utie s or of t he Sena te may
co nve ne a se ssio n of t he re sp ectiv e Cham be r be fo re th e sch e du led da te . H e sh a ll alw ays do so if re q ue ste d
b y the Pre siden t o f the Rep ub lic , t he Gove rn m en t or at lea st on e fif t h of de pu tie s of the re spe ctiv e Cha m ber.
( 4 ) A se ssio n of th e Cha mbe r of D epu tie s en ds wit h the e xp ir a tion o f it s ele ctio n te rm or w it h it s dis s o lu tio n.
A rtic le 3 5 [D is so lu tion ] (1 ) The Pre sid e nt of the R ep ub lic c an dis so lv e th e Cha mbe r of D epu tie s if :
a ) the Cha m be r of D epu tie s pa ss e s a vo te of non -co nfid e nce in a ne wly app oin te d Gove rn m en t w ho se
P re m ie r w as ap poin te d by th e Pre sid e nt of the Repub li c on the su gge stio n of t he cha ir m an o f the Cha mber
of D ep utie s,
b ) the Cha m be r of D epu tie s fa ils to d ecid e wit h in th re e mon th s on a Gove rn m en t bill w it h th e d is cu ss ion o f
whic h th e Gove rn m en t li n ks the qu estio n o f co nfid en ce ,
c) a se ss ion o f th e Cham be r of D ep utie s is adjou rn e d fo r a lo n ge r pe riod th an ad mis s i b le ,

d) the Cha m be r of D epu tie s ha s no t rea ched a quo ru m fo r a pe riod lo ng er th a n th ree month s, alt ho ugh it s
s e ss ion was not ad jo urn e d and a lt h ou gh it w as re p ea ted ly ca lle d to se ss ion du rin g th is period .
(2 ) The Cha mbe r of D epu tie s c anno t be dis s o lv e d th re e mon th s be fo re the e xp ir a tio n of it s ele ctio n te rm .
Artic le 3 6 [P ub licit y ] S ess ion s of bo th ch a m bers are ope n to pub lic . T he pub lic c an be e xclu d ed so le ly unde r con dit ion s s tip u la te d
by la w .
Artic le 3 7 [J o in t S ess ion s] (1 ) A jo in t se ss ion o f both Cha mbe rs is c alled by the Chair m an o f the Cham be r of D epu tie s.
(2 ) The pro ceed in gs of a jo in t se ssio n of bo th Cha mbe rs are gove rne d b y th e ru le s of pro cedu re of the
C ham be r of D ep utie s.
A rtic le 3 8 [G ove rn m en t A tt e nd an ce ] (1 ) A mem be r of t he Gove rn m en t ha s th e r igh t to att end se ssio ns of bo th Cha mbe rs , the ir co mm it t ee s, an d
co m mis sio n s. H e sha ll be g iv en th e floo r an y tim e he re q ue sts it.
( 2 ) A mem be r of t he Gove rn m en t is ob lig ed to att end pe rs o na ll y a se ssio n of th e Cha mbe r of D ep utie s upo n
the ba sis of it s re so lu tion . T his als o ap plie s to a se ss io n o f a co m mit te e, co mm is sio n , or in ve stiga to ry
c o m mis sio n , w he re , how eve r, a mem be r of th e Gove rn m ent m ay have h im se lf be re p re sen ted b y his depu ty
o r an y othe r m em be r of t he cab in e t, if his or he r pe rs ona l p re se n ce is no t exp re ssly re que ste d.
A rtic le 3 9 [Q uo ru m , M ajo rit ie s] (1 ) The Cha mbe rs c onstit u te a qu oru m if at le a st one th ir d of t heir
m em be rs are pre se nt.
( 2 ) The pass ag e of a re so lu tio n of th e re spe ctiv e Cha mbe r requ ir e s c onse nt of an ab so lu te majo rit y of
de putie s or S en ato rs pre se n t, if not pre sc rib e d oth e rw is e by th e Con stit u tion .
(3 ) The pass ag e of a re so lu tio n on the d ecla ra tio n o f the sta te o f w ar an d a re so lu tio n ap pro ving th e
pre se nce o f fore ign tr oop s on th e te rr it o ry of the Cze ch Rep ub lic req uir e s c onse n t o f an a bso lu te majo rit y of
all de pu tie s and o f all Sena to rs .
(4 ) The pass ag e of a con stit u tiona l law an d the ap pro va l o f an in te rn a tion al a g re e m ent un der A rtic le 10 s ha ll
r e qu ir e con sen t of a th r ee -fif t h s m ajo rit y of all de pu tie s an d a th re e -fif t h s m ajo rit y of all Sen ato rs pre se n t.
A rtic le 4 0 [E lec tio n and Pro ce d u re Law s] T he pa ssa ge o f an ele ctio n la w and th e le gis la tion on the p rin cip le s of de libe ra tio ns an d con ta cts be tw een
bo th Cha m be rs as we ll as exte rna l co n ta cts , an d the la w on the ru le s of pro ce du re of t he Sen ate sha ll
nece ssit a te it s ap pro va l b y bo th the Cha mbe r of D ep utie s and th e Sen ate .
A rtic le 4 1 [In it ia tiv e ] (1 ) D ra ft la w s s hall be sub mit te d to th e Cha mbe r of D ep utie s.
(2 ) A dra ft l aw may be su b m it te d by de pu tie s, group s of dep utie s, the Sena te , th e Gove rn m en t, and
re pre sen ta tiv e s of a high er te rrit o ria l se lf -go ve rn ing en tit y .
A rtic le 4 2 [B udg et] (1 ) A dra ft la w on th e sta te bu dget an d a d ra ft sta te a nn ua l a cc oun t are pre se n te d by t he Gove rn m en t.
( 2 ) These dra ft pro po sa ls are dis cu sse d and de cided on on ly by th e Cha mber of D ep utie s at a pu blic
s e ss ion .
Artic le 4 3 [W ar] (1 ) P arli a m en t de cid e s on a d ecla ra tion o f the sta te o f w ar in th e even t tha t the Cze ch Rep ub lic is att ack e d
or if it is ne ce ssa ry to mee t in te rn a tio n al tr e a ty obliga tio ns c once rn in g jo in t de fen se aga in st ag gre ssio n .
(2 ) A rm ed fo rc e s can be sen t ou ts ide th e te rr it o ry of t he Cze ch Rep ub lic on ly wit h th e con sen t of bo th
C ham be rs .
A rtic le 4 4 [D eli b era tio n] (1 ) The Gove rn m en t has the righ t to co m ment on a ll dra ft la w s.
(2 ) If th e Gove rn m ent fa ils to exp re ss it s op in io n wit h in th ir ty da ys of th e re ce ip t of a d ra ft la w , it is ass u m ed
tha t it has exp re ss ed it s e lf po sit iv e ly .
(3 ) The Gove rn m en t ha s the righ t to d em an d th a t th e C ha m ber of D epu tie s c om ple te dis cu ss ing a
Gove rn m ent dra ft la w wit h in th ree mon th s of it s sub mis s ion , as lo ng a s the Gove rn m en t lin ks wit h it a
re que st fo r a vo te of con fiden ce .
A rtic le 4 5 [A pp ro va l to Sen ate ] T he Cham ber of D ep utie s sha ll ad van ce a dra f t la w wit h whic h it exp re ss ed it s app ro va l to the Sena te
w it ho ut unn ece ssa ry de la y.
A rtic le 4 6 [R es olu tio n of S en ate ] (1 ) The Sen ate sha ll dis c u ss a dra ft la w an d decid e up on it w it h in a perio d of th ir ty da ys of it s adva nce m ent.
( 2 ) W it h it s re so lu tion , t he Sen ate ap pro ve s th e d ra ft la w or tu rn s it do wn, or re tu rn s it t o the Cha m ber of
D epu tie s wit h dra ft am end m en ts , or exp re ss es it s in te n tion no t to co nce rn it s e lf wi th it .
( 3 ) If th e Sena te fa il s to e xp re ss it s re so lu tion in a t im e lim it giv en in Parag ra p h (1 ), it is assu m ed tha t the
dra ft la w was pass ed .
Artic le 4 7 [R eje ctio n b y Sen ate ] (1 ) If th e Sena te re je cts a d ra ft la w , th e Cha mbe r of D epu tie s s hall

vo te on it aga in . A dra ft la w is pass ed if it is ap pro ved by an ab so lu te majo rit y of all d ep utie s.
(2) If th e Sen ate re tu rn s a dra ft la w to th e Cham be r of D ep utie s wit h dra ft am en dm en ts , th e Cha mber of
D epu tie s s hall vo te on the word in g ap pro ve d by the Sena te . W it h it s re so lu tio n, t he d ra ft la w is pass ed .
(3 ) If th e Cham be r of D ep utie s fa ils to pass a dra ft la w in th e word in g app ro ve d b y th e Sen ate , it sh a ll vo te
on ce aga in on the ve rs io n of t he dra ft la w ad va n ced to the Sena te . A dra ft la w is pa ss ed if it is ap pro ved by
an a bso lu te majo rit y of all de putie s.
(4 ) In d is cu ssio n of a re je cte d o r re tu rn e d dra f t la w in the Cha m ber of D epu tie s dra ft am end men ts are
in ad mis sib le .
A rtic le 4 8 [In ac tiv it y ] If th e Sen ate exp re ss e s it s in te ntio n not to con ce rn it s e lf w it h a dra ft la w , it is pa sse d wit h th is re so lu tion .
Artic le 4 9 [In te rn ation al A cco rd s] (1 ) In te rn atio na l a cco rd s requ ir in g con sen t fr o m Parli a m en t are pa sse d by Parlia m en t in th e sa m e way as
d ra ft la w s.
(2 ) A cco rd s on h um an righ ts and fund am enta l fr e e do ms, politic a l a gree men ts , and e co n om ic ag re e m en ts of
a ge nera l na tu re , as well as agre e m en ts on th e im pl e m en ta tion o f w hic h a la w must be pa sse d , re q uir e
c o nse nt fr o m Parli a m en t.
A rtic le 5 0 [R eje ctio n b y Pre s id en t] (1 ) The Pre sid e nt of the Repu blic ha s th e righ t to re tu rn a n adop ted la w , exc ep t a con stit u tiona l law , giv ing
e xp la na tio n wit h in fif t een da ys of th e da y of it s ad van ce m en t.
( 2 ) The Cha mbe r of D epu tie s s hall vo te on the re je cte d la w on ce aga in . D ra ft am end men ts are inad mis s ib le .
If th e Cha mbe r of D epu tie s re -ap pro ve s the re tu rn ed la w by an ab so lu te majo rit y of all d e pu tie s, t he la w is
p ro m ulga ted . Othe rw is e it is assu m ed th a t th e la w w as not pa sse d.
A rtic le 5 1 [S ign atu re s ] A do pted la w s are sig ned b y the Cha ir m an o f the Cha m be r of D epu tie s, th e Pre sid e nt of the Repub lic , and
the Pre m ie r.
A rtic le 5 2 [P ro m ulg ation ] A la w beco m es eff ectiv e u po n it s pr om ulga tio n . T he meth od o f pro m ulg ation is stipu la ted by la w . T he sa m e
ap plie s to in te rn atio na l tr e atie s app ro ve d by Parli a m en t.
A rtic le 5 3 [In te rp ell a tion ] (1 ) E ve ry Depu ty ha s th e righ t to in te rpe lla te th e Gove rn m en t or it s m em be rs in matt e rs fa lli n g un d er the ir
ju ris d ic tion .
(2 ) In te rp ella ted mem bers of G ove rn m ent sh all be o blig ed to re sp o nd to the in te rp e lla tio n wit h in a pe rio d of
th ir ty da ys fr o m the d ay of it s no tif ic a tio n.
C hap te r Th ree Exe cu tiv e Pow er
[P art 1] Th e Pres id en t of t he Rep ub li c
A rtic le 54 [H ea d o f S ta te ] (1 ) The Pre sid e nt of the Repu blic is the Head o f S ta te .
(2 ) The Pre sid e nt of the Repu blic is ele cted b y Parli a m en t at a jo in t se ssio n of both Cha mbe rs .
(3 ) The Pre sid e nt of the Repu blic is no t acco u nta ble fo r the d is ch a rge o f his off ic e .
A rtic le 5 5 [O ath , T erm ] The Pre sid e nt of t he Rep ublic en te rs upon h is off ic e by ta kin g an oath . T he te rm of off ic e of the Pre sid en t of
the Rep ublic is fiv e ye a rs an d b egin s on th e da y of t akin g the oa th .
A rtic le 5 6 [E lec tion ] The e le ctio n ta ke s pla ce w it h in the la st th ir ty da ys of t he te rm of off ic e of the in cu m ben t P re sid en t of the
R epu blic . If t he off ic e of the Pre siden t of the Rep ublic be co m es v aca nt, t he ele ction ta ke s pla ce wit h in th ir ty
d a ys .
A rtic le 5 7 [E lig ib il i t y ] (1 ) A cit iz e n elig ib le to the S en ate may be e le cte d Pre siden t of the Rep ub lic .
(2 ) N o one ca n be e le cted fo r m ore than tw o co n se cu tiv e te rm s of off ic e .
A rtic le 5 8 [C and id ates ] (1 ) N o le ss tha n te n de putie s or te n Sen ato rs are entit led to nom ina te a c an did ate .
(2 ) A ca n did ate who re ce iv e d an abso lu te majo rit y of vo te s of all depu tie s an d an ab so lu te majo rit y of vo te s
of all S ena to rs is ele cte d Pre sid e nt of the Rep ub lic .
(3 ) If no can did ate su ccee ds in re ce iv in g an ab so lu te majo rit y of vo te s of all de pu tie s an d of all Sen ato rs , the
s e co nd ro und o f ele ction sh a ll be he ld wit h in fou rtee n da ys .
(4 ) The can did ate wit h the h ig he st nu m be r of vo te s in th e Cha mbe r of D ep utie s and the ca n dida te wit h the
h igh est num be r of vo te s in the Sen ate adva nce s to the se con d ro und .
(5 ) If the re are more cand id ate s who re ce iv e the sa m e h ig he st nu mbe r of vo te s in the Cha m be r of D epu tie s
or if the re are more cand ida te s who re ce iv e the sa m e h ig he st nu mber of vo te s in th e Sen ate , vo te s the y
re ce iv ed in both Cha mbers are su mm ed up , and a c a nd id ate who in th is way r ece iv e s th e hig he st nu mbe r of
vo te s ad van ce s to the se co n d roun d.
(6 ) A ca n did ate who re ce iv ed an ab so lu te majo rit y of vo te s of de pu tie s pre se n t as well as an ab so lu te

majo rit y of vo te s of S ena to rs pre se nt is ele cted .
(7 ) If a Pre siden t of the Rep ub lic is no t ele cte d in th e se con d ro und , the th ir d ro und o f ele ction ta ke s pla ce
w it h in fo urteen d ays , in whic h tha t can dida te fr o m the se con d round is ele cte d who re ce iv e s an ab so lu te
m ajo rit y of vo te s of dep utie s and Sena to rs pre se nt.
(8 ) If a Pre siden t of the R ep ub lic is no t ele cted in th e th ir d roun d, ne w ele ctio ns ta ke p la ce .
A rtic le 5 9 [O ath ] (1 ) The Pre sid e nt of the Repu blic ta ke s th e oa th befo re th e Cha ir m an of t he Cham ber of D epu tie s at a jo in t
se ss ion o f bo th ch am be rs .
(2 ) The Pre sid e nt© s oath has th e fo ll o w in g word in g:
“I pledg e alle g ia nce to the Cze ch Rep ub lic . I pled ge to uph old it s Constit u tio n an d la w s. I pled ge on my
ho nor to dis ch arg e my off ic e in th e in te re st of t he peop le an d in acco rda nce wi th my best co n vic tion an d
co nsc ien ce .”
A rtic le 6 0 [N o Rese rv a tio n s] If th e Pre sid e nt of th e Repu blic re fu se s to ta ke the oa th or if he ta ke s it w it h re se rv a tio n s, he is con side red
no t to h ave be en
ele cte d.
A rtic le 6 1 [R es ign ation ] The Pre sid e nt of t he Rep ublic m ay su rr ende r his off ic e in to th e ha nd s of t he C hair m an o f the Cha mber of
D epu tie s.
A rtic le 6 2 [Fun ction s] T he Pre sid e nt of t he Rep ublic :
a ) ap po in ts an d dis m is s e s th e Pre m ie r and o the r m em be rs of the Gove rn m ent and a ccepts th e ir r esig na tion ,
dis m is se s th e Gove rn m en t and a cc ep ts it s re signa tion ,
b) con ve ne s s ess ion s of th e Cha mbe r of D epu tie s,
c) diss olv e s the Cha mber of D ep utie s,
d ) en tr u sts the Gove rn m en t w ho se re sign atio n he ha s acc ep ted o r w hic h he ha s dis m is s ed wit h d is c ha rg ing
it s fu n ction s te m po ra ril y un til a new Gove rn m en t is ap poin ted ,
e) ap po i nts jud ges of t he Constit u tio n al C ou rt, it s Cha irm an and Depu ty Cha irm en,
f) appo in ts fr o m judg es th e Cha ir m an and Depu ty Cha irm en of t he Sup re m e Cou rt,
g ) pa rdo ns and mit ig a te s pen alt ie s im po sed by pe na l co u rts , orde rs th a t crim ina l p ro cee din g s be no t ope ne d,
an d if t he y ha ve b een , orde rs th eir dis c on tinua tion , and e xpun ges pre viou s sen te n ce s,
h ) ha s th e righ t to re tu rn to Parlia m en t adop ted la w s wit h the e xcep tio n of co n stit u tio na l la w s,
i) sig n s la w s,
j) ap poin ts th e Pre side nt and Vic e Pre side nt of t he S up re m e In spe ctio n Off ic e ,
k) appo in ts m em be rs of the Ban k Coun cil of th e Cze ch Nation al B an k.
A rtic le 6 3 [P ow ers ] (1 ) The Pre sid e nt of the Repu blic fu rthe r:
a ) re pre sen ts the sta te in exte rn a l a ff a ir s ,
b ) ne go tia te s and ra tif ie s in te rn a tio n al tr e a tie s; he m ay tr an sfe r th e ne go tia tio n o f in te rna tion al a g ree men ts to
t he Gove rn m en t or, w it h it s ap pro va l, t o it s ind iv id ua l m em be rs ,
c) is co mm ander -in-c h ie f of th e arm ed fo rc e s
d) re ce iv e s he ad s of dip lo m atic m is sio ns,
e ) accred it s and re ca lls he ad s of dip lo m ati c m is s ion s,
f) ca lls ele ctio ns to th e Cham be r of D ep utie s and to th e Sena te ,
g) ap po in ts an d pro m ote s ge nera ls ,
h ) con fe rs and aw ard s s ta te d is tin ctio n s, unle ss he au tho riz e s an oth er bo dy to do so ,
i) ap poin ts ju dge s,
j) ha s the rig h t to gran t am ne sty .
(2 ) T he Pre side nt of t he Repu blic is als o en tit le d to e xe rc is e po wers whic h a re not exp re ss ly sp e cif ie d in the
c o nstit u tio na l law , if it is s tip ula ted so b y la w .
(3 ) D ecis ion s of th e Pre sid e nt of th e Repub lic is su e d in acco rda nce wit h Parag raph s (1 ) an d (2 ) r eq uir e a
s ig na tu re o f the Pre m ie r, or a mem be r of t he Gove rn m en t en tr u sted b y the Pre m ie r, to co m e in to eff e ct.
( 4 ) The Gove rn m en t is re sp on sib le fo r decis ion s of t he Pre sid en t of the Rep ub lic whic h re q uir e th e sign atu re
o f t he Pre m ie r or a mem be r of th e G ove rn m ent au th o riz e d by th e Pre m ie r.
A rtic le 6 4 [A tt e nd an ce ] (1 ) The Pre sid e nt of the Repu blic ha s th e righ t to ta ke pa rt in se ssio n s of bo th Cham be rs of P arli a m en t, the ir
c o m mit te es, and co m m is sio n s. H e sha ll be g iv e n th e floo r an y tim e he re q ue sts it.
(2 ) The Pre sid e nt of the Rep ub lic ha s the rig ht to ta ke pa rt in se ssion s of th e Gove rn m ent, requ est re po rts
f r o m th e Gove rn m en t and it s m em be rs an d d is cu ss wit h the Gove rn m en t or w it h it s m em be rs is s ue s fa lli ng
un der th eir ju ris d ic tion .
Artic le 6 5 [Im munit y ] (1 ) The Pre sid e nt of the Repu blic c ann ot be de ta in e d, expo sed to crim in a l p ro se cu tio n , or pro se cu ted fo r a

mis de mea no r or oth e r ad min is tr a tiv e o ff en ce .
(2 ) The Pre sid e nt of the Repu blic c an be p ro se cu ted fo r high tr ea so n be fo re the Con stit u tion al C ourt on the
ba sis of an in dic tm en t by th e Sen ate . P un is h m en t ca n b e the lo ss of P re side ntia l o ffic e and o f the
qu alific a tio n to ho ld it ag ain .
(3 ) C rim in a l p ro se cu tio n fo r crim ina l a cts co mm itt ed while d is ch a rg in g the off ic e o f the Pre side nt of the
R epu blic is r e nde red
im possib le fo re ve r.
A rtic le 6 6 [V ac an cy] If th e off ic e of t he Pre side nt of the Rep ub lic be co m es va can t an d a ne w Pre sid en t of th e Repu blic is not ye t
e le cte d or ha s no t ye t bee n sw orn in , an d als o if t he Pre sid en t of t he Repub lic is un ab le to dis c h arg e his
o ffic e fo r se rio us re a so n s and the Cha mber of D epu tie s an d the Sena te re so lv e s s o, t he exe rc is e of
fun ction s sp e cif ie d in Artic le 63 (1 ) a) -e), h), i) , an d j) , an d Artic le 63 (2 ) fa lls to the Pre m ie r. D urin g the
pe rio d in whic h the Pre m ie r is dis ch a rg in g the sp e cif ied fu n ction s of t he Pre side nt of the Rep ub lic , t he
exe rc is e o f fun ctio ns of t he Pre sid en t of the Rep ub lic acco rd ing to Artic le 62 Sub pa rag ra p hs a) -e) an d k) f a lls
to the Chairm an o f the Cham be r of D ep utie s; if the off ic e of the Pre sid e nt of t he Repu blic beco m es v acan t at
the tim e whe n th e Cham be r of D ep utie s i s dis so lv ed , th e exe rc is e of t he se fun ction s fa lls to th e Cha irm an of
the Sena te .
[P art 2] Th e Gove rn m en t
A rtic le 6 7 [E xe cu tiv e Pow er] (1 ) The Gove rn m en t is th e sup re m e bod y of exe cu tiv e p ow er.
(2 ) The Gove rn m en t is co m po se d of th e Pre m ie r, the Dep uty Pr em ie rs , an d th e Min is te rs .
A rtic le 6 8 [A ppo in tm en t] (1 ) The Gove rn m en t is acc ou nta b le to th e Cha mbe r of D ep utie s.
(2 ) The Pre sid e nt of the Repu blic ap po in ts the Pre m ie r and , on his s ugge stio n , ap poin ts oth er m em be rs of
the Gove rn m en t and en tr u sts th em wit h mana gin g th e min is tr ie s or othe r bo die s.
(3 ) The Gove rn m en t sh a ll ap pea r be fo re the Cham be r of D ep utie s wit h in th ir ty da ys of it s ap po in tm ent an d
re que st of it a vo te o f co nfid en ce .
(4 ) If th e ne wly ap po in te d Gove rn m en t fa ils to ob ta in th e con fide nce o f the Cha mber of D epu tie s, t he
p ro ce du re ad va n ce s in a cco rda nce wit h Parag ra ph s (2 ) and (3 ). If even th e Gove rn m en t, ap po in ted in th is
w ay, f ails to obta in th e con fid e nce o f th e Cha m ber of D epu tie s, th e Pre side nt of th e Repu blic s hall ap poin t
the Pre m ie r upo n th e sug gestion o f the Chairm an o f the Cham be r of D ep utie s.
(5 ) In othe r ca se s, the Pre sid e nt of t he Rep ublic app oin ts and d is m is se s, up on th e sugg estio n o f th e
P re m ie r, oth er m em be rs of the ca b ine t an d en tr u sts th e m wit h mana gin g the min is tr ie s or oth er bo die s.
A rtic le 6 9 [O ath ] (1 ) A mem be r of t he Gove rn m en t sw ea rs in be fo re th e Pre sid en t of th e Rep ublic .
(2 ) The oath of a mem be r of the Gove rn m ent ha s th e fo ll o w in g word ing :
“I pledg e alle g ia nce to the Cze ch Rep ub lic . I pled ge to uph old it s Constit u tio n an d la w s an d in tr o d uce th e m
in to li t e . I p ledg e on my hon or tha t I will con scien tiou sly ho ld my offic e and will not ab use my po sit io n.”
A rtic le 7 0 [In co m patib il i t y ] A mem be r of the Gove rn m en t m ust not pu rs u e activ it ie s whose na tu re is in con fli c t w it h the e xe rc is e of his
f un ction . D eta ils are stip ula ted b y la w .
Artic le 7 1 [V ote of C onfid en ce] T he Gove rn m ent is en tit le d to su bm it t o the Cham be r of D ep utie s a re que st fo r a vo te of con fiden ce .
A rtic le 7 2 [C on fid en ce In it ia tiv e ] (1 ) The Cha mbe r of D epu tie s m ay pass a vo te of no co nfid en ce in
t he Gove rn m en t.
( 2 ) The Cha mbe r of D epu tie s s hall dis cu ss a pro po sa l fo r a vo te of no co n fid e nce in th e Gove rn m en t on ly if it
i s s ubm it t ed in writ ing by no le ss th an 50 de putie s. P assing the p ro p osa l re qu ir e s th e con sen t of an abso lu te
m ajo rit y of all de pu tie s.
A rtic le 7 3 [R es ign ation ] (1 ) The Pre m ie r off e rs his re sig na tio n to th e Pre siden t of the Rep ub lic . Ot he r m em be rs of th e Gove rn m en t
offe r th e ir re sig na tion s to th e Pre side nt of th e Rep ub lic th ro u gh th e Pre m ie r.
(2 ) T he Gove rn m en t sha ll off e r it s re signa tion if the Cha m ber of D epu tie s re je cts it s req uest fo r a vo te of
co nfid en ce or if it pa sse s a vo te o f no co nfid en ce in it . T he Gove rn m ent sh all alw ays offe r it s re sign atio n
afte r th e con stit uen t se ssion of a ne wly ele c ted Cha mber of D epu tie s.
(3 ) If th e Gove rn m ent off ers it s re signa tion a cco rd in g to Parag rap h (2 ), t he Pre side nt of the Repub lic s hall
a cce p t it.
A rtic le 7 4 [D is m issa l o f M in is te rs ] T he Pre sid e nt of t he Rep ublic s ha ll dis m is s a Mem be r of th e Gove rn m en t, if th is is prop ose d b y th e Pre m ie r.
A rtic le 7 5 [D is m issa l o f G ove rn m en t] T he Pre sid e nt of t he Rep ublic s ha ll dis m is s a Gove rn m ent w hic h d id no t off e r it s re signa tio n a lt h ou gh it w as
ob lige d to off er it.

Artic le 7 6 [R es olu tion s] (1 ) The Gove rn m en t m ake s dec is io ns as a bo dy.
(2 ) The pass ag e of a re so lu tio n of th e Gove rn m en t re qu ir e s the co nse nt of an abso lu te majo rit y of all i ts
m em be rs .
A rtic le 7 7 [P re m ie r] (1 ) The Pre m ie r org a niz e s th e activ it ie s of the Gove rn m en t, cha ir s it s m ee tin g s, acts in it s na me, an d
exe cu te s fu rth er activ it ie s en tr u sted to him by the Constit u tio n or by oth er la w s.
(2 ) The Pre m ie r is rep re se nte d by a Dep uty Pre m ie r or ano the r auth oriz ed mem be r of t he Gove rn m ent.
A rtic le 7 8 [D ec ree s] F or the e xe cu tion o f a la w and wit h in it s lim it s , the Gove rn m en t is en tit le d to is s ue de cree s. D ecre es are
s ig ne d by the Pre m ie r an d a re sp e ctiv e mem be r of th e Gove rn m en t.
A rtic le 7 9 [R egu la tion s] (1 ) M in is tr ie s an d oth e r adm in is tr a tiv e bo die s c an be e stab lis h e d an d the ir po w ers de fined on ly by la w .
(2 ) T he leg al re la tio ns of sta te e mplo yee s in the min is tr ie s and o th er ad min is tr a tiv e bod ie s are de te rm in e d by
la w .
(3 ) The min is tr ie s, oth er ad min is tr a tiv e o ff ic e s, and bod ie s of t err it o ria l s e lf -ad min is tr a tio n may is s ue leg al
re gu la tion s on the ba sis of an d w it h in th e lim it s of la w , if au tho riz e d so b y la w .
Artic le 8 0 [P ub lic Pro se cu to r’s Office ] (1 ) A Public Pro se cu to r© s off ic e rep re se n ts pub lic pro se cu tion in crim in a l p ro ce e din gs; it als o e xe cu te s othe r
ta sk s, if th e la w so stipu la te s.
(2 ) The sta tu s and j uris d ic tio n of th e Pub lic Pro se cu to r© s off ic e a re de fin e d by la w .
Chap te r Fou r Jud ic ia l P ow er
[P art 1 Gen era l P ro vis ion s] A rtic le 8 1 [Ind ep end en t C ou rts ] Ju dic ia l po wer is exe rc is e d b y ind epend ent cou rts on beh alf of the Rep ub lic .
A rtic le 8 2 [J ud ges] (1 ) J ud ge s are in dep end en t in the e xe cu tio n of t he ir fu n ction . T he ir im pa rtia lit y m ust no t be th rea tene d by
an yon e.
(2 ) A judg e cann ot be d is m is se d or tr a n sfe rr ed to a noth er co urt aga in st his or he r w ill; exce p tio n s, prim aril y in
d is cip lin ary re spo nsib ili ty , a re stip ula ted by la w .
(3 ) The dis c ha rg e of t he fu n ction o f a judg e is in co m patib le wit h th e off ic e o f the Pre sid en t of th e Rep ublic ,
m em be r of P arli a m ent, or an y othe r fun ction in pub lic adm in is tr a tion ; oth e r activ it ie s in co m pa tib le wit h the
d is ch a rge o f the fu n ction o f a jud ge are de te rm in e d by la w .
[P art 2] C on stit u tion al C ou rt
A rtic le 8 3 [Fun ction ] The Constit u tio n al C ou rt is a ju dic ia l bo dy fo r the p ro te ction o f con stit u tio na lit y .
A rtic le 8 4 [C om po sit ion ] (1 ) The Con stit u tiona l Cou rt is c om po sed o f 1 5 judg es app oin te d fo r a te rm of ten ye a rs .
(2 ) The ju dg es of th e Con stit u tiona l Cou rt are appo in ted b y th e Pre siden t of the Rep ub lic wit h th e con sen t of
the Sena te .
(3 ) A ny cit iz en o f in te g rit y , eli g ib le fo r ele ctio n to th e Sen ate , ha ving a u niv e rs it y edu ca tio n in la w an d at lea st
ten ye a rs of exp e rien ce in le ga l p ro fe ss ion may be ap po in ted a ju dge o f the Constit u tio n al C ou rt.
A rtic le 8 5 [O ath ] (1 ) A judg e of t he Con stit u tio na l C ourt ass um es his or he r fun ctio n upon ta kin g an oa th be fo re th e Pre side nt
of the Rep ublic .
(2 ) A judg e of t he Con stit u tio na l C ourt t ake s th e fo llo wi ng oath :
“I pledg e on my ho nor an d con scien ce th at I w ill pro te ct the in vio la bili ty of th e natu ra l righ ts of t he in d iv idu al
an d the rig h ts of an y cit iz en , abide b y constit u tio na l law s, an d make de cis ion s acc ord in g to my be st
co nvic tio n, ind epe nd ently , an d im pa rtia lly .”
( 3 ) If a ju d ge re fu se s to ta ke the o ath o r if he or she ta ke s it w it h re se rv a tio n s, he or sh e is re ga rded a s no t
ap po in ted .
Artic le 8 6 [Im munit y ] (1 ) A judg e of t he Con st it u tio na l C ou rt ca nno t be crim in all y pro se cu te d wit ho ut th e con sen t of the Sena te . If
the Sena te declin e s to giv e it s c onsen t, crim ina l p ro se cu tion is re n de red im poss ib le fo re ve r.
( 2 ) A judg e of t he Con stit u tio na l C ourt m ay be de ta in ed on ly if caug ht w hile c omm it t ing a crim in al a ct or
im m ed ia te ly the re aft e r. T he re spe ctiv e au tho rit y is ob li g e d to imm edia te ly no tif y th e Cha irm an of th e Sen ate
o f t he d eten tio n . If t he Cha irm an or the Sena te fa il s to g iv e his con sen t to pa ss ing the d eta in e e to co urt
w it h in 24 ho urs , th e re sp ectiv e au th orit y is ob lig ed to re le a se h im . T he Sena te sh a ll m ake a d efin it iv e
de cis ion a bout w he the r or not crim in al p ro se cu tio n is ad m is sib le at it s fir s t f ollo w ing se ss io n.
(3 ) A judg e of t he Con stit u tio na l C ourt ha s th e rig ht to den y te s tim on y on matte rs ab out w hic h he o r sh e
lea rn t w hile dis ch arg in g his or he r fun ctio n , and , as well, aft e r he or she ce ase d to be a judg e of t he
C onstit u tio n al C ou rt.

Artic le 8 7 [C om pete n cies ] (1 ) The Con stit u tiona l Cou rt re so lv e s:
a ) the nu ll if ic a tion o f la w s or th eir ind iv id ua l p ro vis io n s if th e y are in co ntr ad ic tio n wit h a co n stit u tion al l aw or
an in te rn atio na l a gre e m en t un de r A rtic le 10 ,
b ) the nu ll if ic a tion o f othe r le ga l regu la tio ns or th eir ind iv id u al p ro vis io ns if the y are in con tr a d ic tion wit h a
co nstit u tio na l law , leg is la tio n, or in te rna tio na l ag ree ment unde r A rtic le 10 ,
c ) con stit u tiona l co m pla in ts by bo die s of t err it o ria l s e lf -ad m in is tr a tio n ag ain st un la w fu l in te rfe re nce by th e
sta te ,
d) con stit u tio na l co m pla in ts aga in st au tho riz e d de cis ion s and o the r in te rfe ren ce b y bod ie s of pu blic po wer
w it h fu n da men ta l rig h ts an d fr e edo ms gu ara nte ed by th e Con stit u tion ,
e) le g al re m edie s ag ai nst de cis io n s on matt e rs of the ve rif ic a tio n of ele ctio n o f a Dep uty or a Sen ato r,
f) doub ts con ce rn in g a lo ss of elig ib ili ty of a Depu ty or a Sena to r an d in co m pa tib ili t y of the d is c ha rge o f his or
he r fun ctio n acc o rd in g to Artic le 25 ,
g ) a co nstit u tio n al i ndic tm ent by th e Sen ate ag ain st t he Pre siden t of th e Rep ub lic acc o rd ing to Artic le 65 (2 ) ,
h) a p ro po sa l b y th e Pre side nt of the Repub l ic to repe al a re so lu tion by the Cha m ber of D epu tie s an d the
S en ate a cc o rd ing to Artic le 66 ,
i) m easu re s nece ss a ry to eff ect a de cis io n b y an in te rn ation al co urt w hic h is bin din g fo r th e Cze ch Rep ub lic ,
if it cann ot be effe cted oth erw is e ,
j) th e con grue ncy of a decis ion to dis so lv e a po litic a l p a rty or othe r decis ion s c once rn in g the a ctiv it ie s of a
po lit ic a l pa rty wit h con stit u tio na l la w s an d o th e r acts ,
k ) con tr o ve rs ie s on the sc o p e o f pow ers of s ta te bo die s an d bod ie s of te rr it o ria l se lf -ad min is tr a tio n, if ,
a cco rd ing to la w , the se do no t fall unde r the ju ris d ic tion o f ano the r bo dy.
(2 ) The la w may stipu la te th at in ste a d o f the Con stit u tion al C ourt t he Sup re m e Adm in is tr a tiv e Cou rt sh all
pa ss de cis i on s on :
a) the an nulm ent of le ga l re gu la tio n s or th eir ind iv id ua l p ro vis ion s, if th e y are a t va ria nce wit h la w ,
b) con tr o ve rs ie s c once rn in g the sc op e of po wers of sta te bo die s an d bod ie s of te rr it o ria l se lf -ad min is tr a tio n,
if, acc o rd ing to la w , t hese do no t f all unde r the ju ris d ic tion o f an othe r bo dy.
A rtic le 8 8 [In it ia tiv e , I nd ep end en ce] (1 ) The la w sp e cif ie s who a nd unde r w ha t cond it ion s is entit led to tab le a p ro po sa l to in it ia te p ro ce e ding s
and o th e r ru le s on pro ceed in g s be fo re the Con stit u tion al C ourt .
(2 ) In de cis io n -m akin g, jud ges of the Constit u tio n al C ou rt are b ound on ly by co n stit u tion al l aw s and
in te rn atio n al a gre e m ents und er A rtic le 10 and by la w s und er P arag ra p h (1 ).
A rtic le 8 9 [B in di n g Effec t] (1 ) A de cis ion o f the Con stit u tio n al C ou rt be co m es exe cu ta ble a s soon a s it is pro m ulga ted in th e man ne r
dete rm in ed by la w if the Con stit u tion al C ou rt did not de cide ab out it s exe cu tion o th e rw is e .
(2 ) E xe cu ta b le decis ion s of th e Con stit u tio na l C ourt are bin d ing fo r all bo die s an d pers on s.
[P art 3] C ou rts
A rtic le 9 0 [P urpo se] The ta sk of co urts is ab ove a ll to p ro vid e pro te ction to rig hts in the man ner de te rm ine d b y la w . O nly a cou rt
c a n de cid e on th e gu il t and pe nalt y fo r crim ina l a cts .
A rtic le 91 [C ou rt H ie ra rc h y] (1 ) The jud ic ia ry co nsis ts of th e Sup re m e Cou rt, t he Sup re m e Adm in is tr a tiv e Cou rt, high , reg io na l, an d
dis tr ic t cou rts . Leg is la tio n may de te rm ine o the r te rm s fo r the m.
(2 ) The ju ris d ic tio n a nd o rg an iz a tion of co u rts is stipu la ted b y l aw .
Artic le 9 2 [H igh est C ou rt] T he Sup re m e Cou rt is the hig he st jud ic ia l b od y in matt e rs fa lli ng un de r the ju ris d ic tion o f co urts wit h th e
exce p tio n of m att e rs
de cid ed b y the Constit u tio n al C ou rt or the Supre m e Adm in is tr a tiv e Cou rt.
A rtic le 9 3 [A ppo in tm e nt of Judg es] (1 ) Jud ges are a ppo in ted b y the Pre sid e nt of th e Rep ublic fo r an un li m it e d te rm . T he y assu m e the o ff ic e on
ta kin g an o ath .
(2 ) A ny cit iz en o f in te g rit y , ha vin g a un iv e rs it y edu ca tio n in la w , ca n be ap po in te d judg e. O the r req uir e m en ts
an d p ro c ed ure s are stipu la ted by la w .
Artic le 9 4 [B en ch ] (1 ) The la w stipu la te s ca se s in whic h ju d ge s de cide a s a be nch an d the co m po sit ion o f the be nch . I n othe r
ca se s th e y de cide a s sin gle ju dge s.
(2 ) The la w may stipu la te in whic h matt e rs an d in wha t m ann er al so o th e r cit iz en s, in ad dit ion to ju d ge s,
pa rtic ipa te in cou rt de cis io n -m akin g.
A rtic le 9 5 [C ou rts Boun d By Law ] (1 ) In de cis io n -m akin g, jud ges are boun d by la w ; the y are en tit le d to ju dge co ng ru en cy of an oth er lega l
re gu la tion wit h the la w .

(2 ) If a cou r t arriv e s at the co nclu sion th at a la w w hic h is to be app li ed in de cis ion -m akin g is in con tr a d ic tio n
w it h a con stit u tion al a ct, it sh a ll pa ss the matt e r to th e Con stit u tio na l C ourt.
A rtic le 9 6 [E qu ali ty Befo re Cou rt, P ub li c it y ] (1 ) A ll pa rtie s in lega l p r oce ed in g s ha ve equ al rig h ts be fo re th e cou rt.
( 2 ) P ro ce e din gs in th e co u rt are ve rba l a nd ope n to pub lic ; exce p tio n s are sp ecif ied by la w . T he ve rd ic t of the
c o urt is alw ays pu blic ly de cla re d .
C hap te r Five Th e Sup re m e In sp ec tio n Offic e
A rtic le 9 7 [S up re m e In sp ection Office ] (1 ) The Sup re m e In sp e ction Off ic e is an in d epen den t bod y. It exe cu te s in spe ctio n of t he man ag em en t of
sta te p ro pe rty an d the fu lf il lm en t of th e sta te bu dge t.
(2 ) The Pre sid e nt an d Vic e Pre sid en t of the Supre m e In sp ection Offic e are ap po in ted b y the Pre sid en t of t he
R epu blic up on th e sugg estion o f the Cha m be r of D epu tie s.
(3 ) The sta tu s, ju ris d ic tio n, orga niz a tio na l s tr u ctu re and o the r de ta ils are se t dow n b y la w .
Chap te r Six Th e Cze ch Nation al B an k
A rtic le 9 8 [C ze ch Nation al B an k] (1 ) T he Cze ch Nation al B ank is the ce n tr a l b a nk of the Sta te . It s activ it ie s are p rim arily orie nte d to w ard s
cu rr ency sta bili ty ; it is po ss ib le to in te rfe re wit h it s activ it ie s exclu siv e ly on the ba sis of la w .
(2 ) The sta tu s, ju ris d ic tio n, an d o th e r deta ils are s e t do wn b y la w .
Chap te r Seve n Territ o ria l S elf -A dm in is tr a tion
A rtic le 9 9 [L an ds, R eg io ns, M unic ip ali t ies ] The Cze ch Rep ublic is div id e d in to mun ic ipa litie s whic h a re th e basic un it s of te rr it o ria l se lf -ad min is tr a tio n.
Hi gh er un it s of t err it o ria l se lf -ad m in is tr a tio n are la nd s an d reg ion s.
A rtic le 1 00 [R ig ht to Self -A dm in is tr a tion ] (1 ) The unit s of te rr it o ria l s e lf -ad min is tr a tio n are te rr it o ria l c o mm unit ie s of cit iz e ns, w hic h have the rig h t to
s e lf -ad min is tr a tio n. T he la w de te rm ine s when th ey are adm in is tr a tiv e d is tr ic ts .
(2 ) A mun ic ipa lity is alw ays pa rt of a high er un it of t errit o ria l
se lf -ad min is tr a tio n.
(3 ) A high er unit of te rrit o ria l se lf -ad min is tr a tio n may be e sta b li s h ed or dis so lv ed so le ly by a con stit u tio n al
la w .
Artic le 1 01 [B oard o f R ep re se nta ti v e s] (1 ) A mun ic ipa lity is in de pe nd en tly adm in is tr a te d b y a boa rd of rep re sen ta tiv e s.
(2 ) A high er unit of te rrit o ria l se lf -ad min is tr a tio n is in de pe nd en tly ad m in is tr a ted b y a boa rd o f re pre sen ta tiv e s.
(3 ) U nit s of te rr it o ria l s e lf -ad min is tr a tio n are pu bli c la w co rpo ra tio n s whic h may ha ve th e ir ow n pro pe rty an d
m ay en ga ge in man ag em ent acc ord in g to th e ir ow n b ud ge ts .
(4 ) The sta te may in te rfe re in the a ctiv it ie s of un it s of t errit o ria l se lf -ad min is tr a tio n only if it is ne ce ssa ry fo r
the p ro te ctio n o f la w an d sole ly by m ean s s pecif ie d b y la w .
Artic le 1 02 [E lec tion s] (1 ) M em bers of t he boa rd of rep re se nta tiv e s are ele cte d by se cre t ba llo t on the ba sis of un iv e rs a l, eq ua l, an d
dir e ct su ff rage .
(2 ) The te rm of off ic e of t he b oard of rep re se nta tiv e s is fou r yea rs . T he la w stip u la te s und er w ha t co n dit io n s
ne w ele ction s to th e boa rd of rep re sen ta tiv e s sha ll be ca lle d b efo re the e xp ir a tio n of it s te rm of off ic e .
A rtic le 1 03 [N am es ] The na me of a h ig he r un it of te rr it o ria l s e lf -ad min is tr a tion sh a ll be de cid ed by it s b o ard .
A rtic le 1 04 [J u ris d ic tio n, D ec re es ] (1 ) The pow ers of the b oard o f rep re se n ta tiv e s m ay be se t do wn so le ly by la w .
(2 ) The boa rd of re p re sen ta tiv e s re so lv e s m att ers of se lf -ad min is tr a tio n, un le ss th ese a re en tr u ste d by la w to
t he boa rd of re p re sen ta tiv e s of a h ighe r unit of te rr it o ria l se lf -ad min is tr a tio n.
(3 ) B oa rd s of R ep re sen ta tiv e s m ay is su e g ene ra lly bin ding de cre es wit h in th e lim it s of the ir ju ris d ic tion .
Artic le 1 05 [B oun d by Law ] The e xe rc is e o f sta te ad m in is tr a tion may be en tr u ste d to bo die s of se lf -ad min is tr a tion on ly when de te rm in ed
so b y la w .
Chap te r Eigh t Tem po ra ry and Fin al P ro vis io ns
A rtic le 1 06 [P ro vis ion al S en ate ] (1 ) O n th e da y th is Con stit u tion co m es in to eff e ct, the Cze ch Nation al C oun cil be co m es th e Cha mbe r of
D epu tie s who se e le c tion te rm exp ir e s on 6 Ju ne 199 6.
(2 ) U ntil the Sena te is ele cted a cco rd ing to the Constit u tio n , t he fu n ction s of t he Sen ate sh all be disc harge d
by the Pro vis ion al S ena te . T he Pro vis io na l S ena te sha ll be co nstit u te d in the manne r dete rm in e d by
co nstit u tio na l law . T he Cha m ber of D epu tie s s hall exe cu te the fun ctio n s of the Sena te until th is la w be co m es
e ffe ctiv e .
(3 ) The Cha mbe r of D epu tie s c anno t be dis s o lv e d a s lo ng a s it dis ch arg e s the fu nctio n of th e Sen ate
a cco rd ing to Parag ra ph (2 ).

(4 ) U ntil la w s on t he ru le s of pro cedu re of th e Cha mbe rs are pass ed , the in d iv idu al C ham be rs sha ll pro ce e d
acco rd ing to the ru le s of pro cedu re of t he Cze ch Nation al C ou ncil.
A rtic le 1 07 [S en ate Ele c tio n s] (1 ) The la w on e le ction s to the Sen ate se ts do wn the way in whic h one th ir d of S ena to rs who se e le ction te rm
w ill be tw o ye a rs , and one th ir d o f S en ato rs whose ele ctio n te rm will be fo ur ye ars will be de te rm ine d in the
fir s t ele ction s to th e Sen ate .
(2 ) The Pre sid e nt of the Repu blic s hall ca ll a se ssio n of t he Sen ate so tha t it m ay be gin no la te r tha n the
th ir tie th d ay afte r the
e le ctio n da y; if he fa ils to do so , th e Sen ate sha ll m eet on the th ir tie th da y aft e r th e e le ctio n da y.
A rtic le 1 08 [199 2 Gove rn m en t] T he Gove rn m ent of t he Cze ch Rep ub lic ap po in te d after the 199 2 ele c tio ns an d e xe cu tin g it s fun ctio n on the
d a y whe n the Con stit u tion co m es in to eff e ct is co nsid e re d a Gove rn m ent ap poin ted a cc o rd ing to th is
C onstit u tio n .
A rtic le 1 09 [S ta te Pro se cu to r’s Fun ction s] U ntil th e Sta te Pro se cu to r© s Offic e is esta b li s h ed , it s fu n ction s s hall be e xe rc is e d b y th e Pro se cu to r© s Offic e
o f t he Cze ch Rep ublic .
A rtic le 1 10 [M ili ta ry Cou rts ] U ntil 31 Dec 1993 , the jud ic ia ry sha ll a ls o in clu de mili ta ry co u rts .
A rtic le 1 11 [J udg es] Ju dge s of all cou rts of the Cze ch Rep ublic , exe rc is ing the fu n ction o f jud ge on th e da y on whic h th is
C onstit u tio n co m es in to eff e ct, are co nsid ere d ju d ge s ap po in ted a cc o rd in g to th e Con stit u tion o f the Cze ch
R epu blic .
A rtic le 1 12 [C on stit u tion al O rd er] (1 ) The con stit u tiona l o rde r of t he Cze ch Repu blic co m pris e s th is Constit u tio n , t he Cha rte r of F und am enta l
Ri ghts and Free dom s, con stit u tiona l law s adop ted in a cc o rd an ce wit h th is Constit u tio n , an d con stit u tio na l
la w s of the Nation al A ss e m bly of t he Cze cho slo va k Rep ub lic , t he Fed era l A sse m bly of the Cze ch o slo va k
Socia lis t R epu bli c , an d the Cze ch Natio n al C ou ncil, w hic h de fin e the sta te bord e rs of t he Cze ch Rep ub lic ,
an d con stit u tio na l law s of t he Cze ch Nation al C oun cil ad op ted a ft e r 6 June 19 92.
(2 ) A nn ulled a re the p re sen t C on stit u tion , the Constit u tio na l A ct on t he Cze cho slo va k Fede ra tio n ,
co nstit u tio na l law s whic h am en ded th e m , and the Con stit u tion al A ct of th e Cze ch Nation al C oun cil N o.
67 /1 9 90 Digest of Law s, on the Sta te Sym bo ls of t he Cze ch Repu blic .
(3 ) Ot he r co n stit u tion al la w s v alid on the te rr it o ry of t he C ze ch Repu blic s hall ha ve the p ow er of a la w on the
d a y th is Con stit u tion co m es in to eff ect.
A rtic le 1 13 [C om in g In to Fo rc e ] T his Con stit u tio n ta ke s eff ect as of 1 Ja n 1993 .