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THE CZECHOSLOVAK REVIEW

bills must originate in the Chamber of deputy. The President determines over Deputies.

The President has power to dissolve the National Assembly, or either house, but he must call an election within sixty days after dissolution.

The Executive Branch.

The President and the government (cabinet) are the executive branch of the Czechoslovak Republic. The government (cabinet) is responsible for utterances of the President.

(a) The President.

The President is elected for seven years and cannot serve more than two successive terms. However, he may again be elected after the expiration of a seven year period. An exception to this provision is made in the case of President Masaryk.

The President represents the state in foreign affairs; negotiates and ratifies international treaties. Financial, military, commercial and territorial engagements require the assent of the National Assembly. He receives and accredits diplomativ representatives; proclaims a state of war; declares war when consent of the National Assembly is obtained; convenes, prorogues and dissolves the National Assembly and declares its sessions ended; approves or vetoes bills passed by the National Assembly; presents to the National Assembly such messages he thinks proper; appoints, dismisses and determines the number of ministers (cabinet); appoints all professors of universities, and civil and military officers above certain grades; makes grants and allows pensions upon the recommendation of the government (cabinet), is commander in chief of all armed forces; and grants pardons and amnesties.

If the President is unable to discharge his duties by reason of illness or other disability for six months, or, in case of death, the government (cabinet) by a three-fourths membership vote designates an acting President for the duration of the illness or incapacity, or, for the balance of the term.

(b) The Government.

The President names and removes all members of the cabinet which as a bodyconstitutes the “government”, and of which the premier is chairman. No minister may engage in business for profit. The cabinet selects from its members the President’s which department each minister shall preside. The government is responsible to thember of Deputies which, when a ma- jority membership is present, may by a majority vote express or refuse a vote of confidence in the government. Before a motion to declare lack of confidence may be put, it must be signed by 100 Deputies and reported by a committee within eight days. If the Chamber of Deputies votes lack of confidence, or refuses a vote of con- fidence, upon request of the government, then the government (cabinet) must resign immediately and the President determines who shall conduct the affairs of the state in the interim. The government (cabinet), as a body. determines regarding (1) bills to be offered by the government for consideration by the National Assem- bly; governmental regulations; and makes recommendations to the President on bills passed by the National Assembly. (2) all matters of a political nature. (3) appointing judges, state officials and officers of the armed forces in so far as concerns central offices; and makes recommendations regarding ap- pointments the President is authorized to make (Sect. 64, sub. 8). If any member of the government (cab- inet) wilfully or through gross negligence. disregards any provision of the Constitu- tion, or of any law, he is liable to prosecu- tion which must be initiated by the Cham- ber of Deputies and the trial held by the Senate sitting as a high court. Judiciary. The judicial power is vested in the state courts and is always separate and distinct from the administrative branch. The Sup- reme Court passes on all questions except constitutional problems which are reserv- ed for a special court, called the Constitu- tional Court. No one may be forced to ap- pear before any court or tribunal except the one having jurisdiction. Civil actions must be determined before regular civil courts or courts of arbitration. Criminal jurisdiction is vested in the crim- inal courts, except in those cases or offenses assigned to the military courts, and except in those instances which may be dealt with summarily by the police or settled by a financial compromise.