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Czech elections: Parties and policies
PRAGUE, Czech Republic (CNN) -- The following are the main parties involved in the Czech elections, along with their policies:
Civic Democrats:
Calling for a 15 percent flat-rate tax.
Want guarantees that the Benes Decrees remain in place as a condition for EU entry.
Want to reduce bureaucracy.
Want end to military conscription and a professional army in its place.
Want to protect the environment, but not at the expense of the free market.
Want to partially replace the pay-as-you-go pension system with one that requires tax-payers to save their own money for retirement, supplemented by a much smaller amount from the government.
Social Democrats:
Want to lead the Czech Republic into the European Union.
Promise to create 200,000 new jobs in the next four years.
Favour "social-market" economy but has also overseen a number of privatisations (banks). Attempts to privatise state-owned power company and telecom failed.
Maintain current tax system-crack down on evasion.
Support unionisation and workers rights.
End military conscription and go to professional army.
No user fees for healthcare system, so tuition fees for education.
Free medication for those over 70.
Maintain pension system, increasing payments to keep up with cost of living.
Fight against corruption.
One-third salaries for 25-35 year olds on parental leave.
Low interest housing loans for young people.
Strong cabinet with some well-known and popular figures.
Coalition:
Fight economic and political corruption campaigns by handing out soap.
Wants direct presidential election.
Stresses the importance of the environment and minority rights.
Cut in taxes.
Increased social support for families.
Pro-EU position.
Communists:
Called one of the few unreconstructed Communist parties still on the political scene in Central and Eastern Europe.
Believe in strong state control over the economy (banking, telecom, transport, energy.)
Consistently won more than 10 percent of the vote since the Velvet Revolution, maintaining seats in parliament (11 percent gave them 24 seats in last parliament.)
Against NATO membership.
Against EU membership.
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