Mirek Topolánek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mirek Topolánek
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| Prime Minister of the Czech Republic | |
| In office 16 August 2006 – 8 May 2009 |
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| President | Václav Klaus |
| Deputy | Martin Bursík Vlasta Parkanová Petr Nečas Alexandr Vondra |
| Preceded by | Jiří Paroubek |
| Succeeded by | Jan Fischer |
| Leader of the Civic Democratic Party | |
| In office 15 December 2002 – 13 April 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Václav Klaus |
| Succeeded by | Petr Nečas |
| Member of the Chamber of Deputies | |
| In office 3 June 2006 – 15 September 2009 |
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| Senator from Ostrava | |
| In office 23 November 1996 – 21 November 2004 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Liana Janáčková |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 May 1956 Vsetín, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic) |
| Political party | Civic Democratic Party (1994–2015) Independent (2015–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Civic Forum (1989–1991) |
| Spouse(s) | Pavla Topolánková (1979–2010) Lucie Talmanová (2010–present) |
| Children | 4 |
| Signature |  |
Mirek Topolánek (Czech pronunciation: [ˈmɪrɛk ˈtopolaːnɛk], born 15 May 1956) is a Czech politician and business manager who served as the prime minister of the Czech Republic from 2006 to 2009 and the leader of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) from 2002 to 2010. Between 2006 and 2009, Topolánek was the member of the Chamber of Deputies (MP) and senator from Ostrava from 1996 until 2004. After leaving the politics in 2010, Topolánek has been active in the electric power industry.
On 24 March 2009, Topolánek resigned as prime minister after he lost a no-confidence vote in the Chamber of Deputies. He remained in office until 8 May, at which point Jan Fischer took office as an independent prime minister leading an interim caretaker government.
In November 2017, Topolánek announced his bid for the presidency in the 2018 election but received only 4% and came sixth in the election.
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Early life
Mirek Topolánek attended a military high school in Opava, where he became a Socialistic Union of Youth member which he claimed to be semi-obligatory for future career officers of the Czechoslovak People's Army. After finishing he studied at Brno University of Technology where he received an Ing. degree in mechanical engineering. In 1996 he won a scholarship for Training Course in Management of small and medium enterprise (MIM) in Cyprus and also attended a post-graduate Course in Corporate Management (Centre for Management Training, Čelákovice CZ).
He entered politics by becoming a member of a post-communist catch-all civic movement Civic Forum in 1989 and has been a member of the Civic Democratic Party since 1994. Topolánek co-founded the engineering company VAE Ltd. in 1991 and was a member of the VAE Inc. board of directors from 1996 to 2003.
Premiership (2006—2009)
Topolánek formed his first government on 3 September 2006. President Václav Klaus appointed the cabinet on 4 September 2006 but it failed to gain the confidence of the Chamber of Deputies on 3 October 2006 when 96 MPs voted for the government while 99 against and thus the Cabinet, for the first time in the history of the Czech Republic, failed to gain the confidence and had to resign.
Topolánek then negotiated coalition with Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party and Green Party. His second cabinet was appointed on 9 January 2007. On 19 January 2007, Chamber of Deputies passed the government's confidence vote with 100 MPs voting in favour, while 97 MPs voted against.
Involvement in the Anti-Missile Defence System
Mirek Topolánek is an ardent supporter of the Bush administration's proposed anti-missile defence system, which was vehemently opposed by the Russians, and which the Obama administration has suggested may not need to be built if Russia cooperates in convincing Iran, the country whose nuclear ambitions the defence system is to protect against, to stop the development of its nuclear programme and its support of terrorist organisations across the Middle East.
Five Prime Minister's Priorities
Mirek Topolánek introduced the so-called "Five Prime Minister's Priorities" in October 2007. It was a government statement which includes 10 program areas, which consist of 190 projects of Government's Program Goals Through Electoral Term accepted by the government. To facilitate orientation and communication with citizens Mirek Topolánek had summarised the 10 program areas to Five Prime Minister's Priorities: Healthy Public Finances, Modern and Efficient State, Safe Citizen in a Safe Country, Removing Barriers, Promoting Science and Education.
Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union
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Topolánek's government led the Czech Republic during Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2009. Czech presidency had to deal with Russia–Ukraine gas dispute. Topolánek and his team was able to negotiate a compromise between Russia and Ukraine. Another important moment was a conflict in Gaza.
Topolánek remained in position of President of European Council until his government was replaced by Jan Fischer's Cabinet.
Business career
Topolánek started a business career after he left politics. His business focuses on consultancy, mediation of business and services, real estate activities, real estate management and maintenance, development and development of technical designs, research and development, advertising and marketing and media representation. His business was successful. Topolánek himself admitted that contacts he made in politics helped him to succeed in business.
2018 presidential election
On 3 November 2017, Václav Klaus Jr. stated that Topolánek was seeking nomination of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) for the 2018 presidential election. Media also speculated that TOP 09 could eventually endorse him. Topolánek discussed his candidacy with party's leader Petr Fiala and asked Civic Democratic senators for their signatures.
On 5 November 2017, Topolánek announced his candidacy. He started to gather signatures from Senators. Topolánek's candidacy was praised by politicians from the Civic Democratic Party. Leader Petr Fiala hailed Topolánek as a serious and experienced candidate. Lidové Noviny reported that Civic Democrats will support Topolánek's candidacy. Topolánek was also praised by the leader of TOP 09 Miroslav Kalousek who believes that Topolánek could use his experiences as former Prime Minister and former President of the European Council. The Civic Democratic Party endorsed Topolánek on 6 November 2017. The Party of Free Citizens also suggested it could endorse him. Party leader Tomáš Pajonk stated that the party is yet to decide whom to support.
Topolánek launched his campaign on 30 November 2017. Topolánek stated that his foreign politics would be pragmatic but also would support human rights. He is opposed to migrant quotas and adoption of the Euro.
The first round was held on 12 and 13 Januar 2018. Topolánek received 4.3% of votes and came sixth. Topolánek then admitted his defeat and endorsed Jiří Drahoš for the second round.
After 2018 presidential election
Topolánek returned to work for EPH holding after his presidential campaign. On 9 January 2019, Topolánek announced his plans for a talkshow called Topol Show. The first episode was released on 7 February 2019. Topolánek invited his former political rival Pavel Bém.
Personal life
Topolánek has two daughters, two sons and two grandchildren. He was married to Pavla Topolánková from 1979 to February 2010. In June 2010, he married Lucie Talmanová. His hobbies include tennis, golf and rally driving. He likes books by Steinbeck, Hemingway, and Kundera. He admires such political personalities as Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and José María Aznar.
