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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Vladimír Špidla
| name = Vladimír Špidla
|image = Vladimir Spidla, 2007 crop.jpg
| image = Vladimir Spidla, 2007 crop.jpg
|caption = Vladimír Špidla in 2007
| caption = Špidla in 2007
|office = [[Prime Minister of the Czech Republic]]
| office = [[Prime Minister of the Czech Republic]]
|president = [[Václav Havel]]<br />[[Václav Klaus]]
| president = [[Václav Havel]]<br />[[Václav Klaus]]
|term_start = 12 July 2002
| term_start = 12 July 2002
|term_end = 4 August 2004
| term_end = 4 August 2004
|predecessor = [[Miloš Zeman]]
| predecessor = [[Miloš Zeman]]
|successor = [[Stanislav Gross]]
| successor = [[Stanislav Gross]]
|office1 = [[European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion|European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities]]
| office1 = [[European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion|European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities]]
|president1 = [[José Manuel Barroso]]
| president1 = [[José Manuel Barroso]]
|term_start1 = 22 November 2004
| term_start1 = 22 November 2004
|term_end1 = 9 February 2010
| term_end1 = 9 February 2010
|predecessor1 = [[Anna Diamantopoulou]]<br />[[Stavros Dimas]] <small>(Employment and Social Affairs)</small>
| predecessor1 = [[Anna Diamantopoulou]]<br />[[Stavros Dimas]] <small>(Employment and Social Affairs)</small>
|successor1 = [[László Andor]] <small>(Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion)</small>
| successor1 = [[László Andor]] <small>(Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion)</small>
|office2 = Leader of the [[Czech Social Democratic Party|Social Democratic Party]]
| office2 = [[President of the Czech Republic]]
| status2 = Acting
|term_start2 = 7 April 2001
| alongside2 = [[Lubomír Zaorálek]]
|term_end2 = 26 July 2004
| term_start2 = 3 February 2003
|predecessor2 = [[Miloš Zeman]]
| term_end2 = 7 March 2003
|successor2 = [[Stanislav Gross]]
| predecessor2 = [[Václav Havel]]
|office3 = [[Miloš Zeman's Cabinet|First Deputy Prime Minister]]<br />[[Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (Czech Republic)|Minister of Labour and Social Affairs]]
|primeminister3 = [[Miloš Zeman]]
| successor2 = [[Václav Klaus]]
| office3 = Leader of the [[Czech Social Democratic Party|Social Democratic Party]]
|term_start3 = 22 July 1998
|term_end3 = 12 July 2002
| term_start3 = 7 April 2001
| term_end3 = 26 July 2004
|predecessor3 = [[Stanislav Volák]]
|successor3 = [[Zdeněk Škromach]]
| predecessor3 = [[Miloš Zeman]]
| successor3 = [[Stanislav Gross]]
|office4 = Member of the [[Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic|Chamber of Deputies]]
| office4 = [[Miloš Zeman's Cabinet|First Deputy Prime Minister]]<br />[[Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (Czech Republic)|Minister of Labour and Social Affairs]]
|term_start4 = 1 January 1996
| primeminister4 = [[Miloš Zeman]]
|term_end4 = 31 August 2004
| term_start4 = 22 July 1998
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1951|4|22|df=y}}
| term_end4 = 12 July 2002
|birth_place = [[Prague]], [[Czechoslovakia]] <small>(now [[Czech Republic]])</small>
| predecessor4 = [[Stanislav Volák]]
|death_date =
| successor4 = [[Zdeněk Škromach]]
|death_place =
| office5 = Member of the [[Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic|Chamber of Deputies]]
|party = [[Czech Social Democratic Party|Social Democratic Party]]
| term_start5 = 1 January 1996
|alma_mater = [[Charles University in Prague]]
| term_end5 = 31 August 2004
|signature = Vladimir Spidla signature.svg
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1951|4|22|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Prague]], [[Czechoslovakia]] <small>(now [[Czech Republic]])</small>
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = [[Czech Social Democratic Party|Social Democratic Party]]
| alma_mater = [[Charles University in Prague]]
| signature = Vladimir Spidla signature.svg
}}
}}
'''Vladimír Špidla''' ({{IPA-cs|ˈvlaɟɪmiːr ˈʃpɪdla}}) (born 22 April 1951) is a [[Czech Republic|Czech]] politician who served as the [[prime minister of the Czech Republic]] from July 2002 to August 2004 and as [[European Commissioner]] for [[European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion|Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities]] from November 2004 to February 2010. He also served as chief adviser to Prime Minister [[Bohuslav Sobotka]] from 2014 to 2017.
'''Vladimír Špidla''' ({{IPA|cs|ˈvlaɟɪmiːr ˈʃpɪdla}}; born 22 April 1951) is a [[Czech Republic|Czech]] politician who served as the [[prime minister of the Czech Republic]] from July 2002 to August 2004 and as [[European Commissioner]] for [[European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion|Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities]] from November 2004 to February 2010. He also served as chief adviser to Prime Minister [[Bohuslav Sobotka]] from 2014 to 2017.


==Early life==
==Early life==
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Špidla entered local politics in his hometown of [[Jindřichův Hradec]] after the [[Velvet Revolution]], joining the re-established [[Czech Social Democratic Party]] (ČSSD, then called "Czechoslovak Social Democracy"). In 1991–1996 he served as the director of the district labour office. In 1992, he became a member of the Presidium of ČSSD, in March 1997 its statutory vice-chairman, and in April 2001 chairman of ČSSD after the previous chairman [[Miloš Zeman]] resigned. He was elected to parliament in 1996, and was First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Affairs in the [[Miloš Zeman's Cabinet|government of Miloš Zeman]] from 22 July 1998 to 12 July 2002.
Špidla entered local politics in his hometown of [[Jindřichův Hradec]] after the [[Velvet Revolution]], joining the re-established [[Czech Social Democratic Party]] (ČSSD, then called "Czechoslovak Social Democracy"). In 1991–1996 he served as the director of the district labour office. In 1992, he became a member of the Presidium of ČSSD, in March 1997 its statutory vice-chairman, and in April 2001 chairman of ČSSD after the previous chairman [[Miloš Zeman]] resigned. He was elected to parliament in 1996, and was First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Affairs in the [[Miloš Zeman's Cabinet|government of Miloš Zeman]] from 22 July 1998 to 12 July 2002.


He was appointed Prime Minister on 12 July 2002 in the coalition government of ČSSD and the smaller [[Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party]] and [[Freedom Union-Democratic Union]]. During that time, he also held [[President of the Czech Republic|Presidential]] powers from 2 February 2003 until 7 March 2003, as the presidential term ended before the Parliament could [[2003 Czech presidential election|elect a new one]]. His government proposed some reformed to address the growing budget deficit, but their proposals were criticised by the opposition being too mild, as well as focusing too much on tax increases rather than spending cuts. Partly due to tensions within the coalition and a slim majority in the parliament, the government was unable or unwilling to take more radical measures.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}}
He was appointed prime minister on 12 July 2002 in the coalition government of ČSSD and the smaller [[Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party]] and [[Freedom Union-Democratic Union]]. During that time, he also held [[President of the Czech Republic|Presidential]] powers from 2 February 2003 until 7 March 2003, as the presidential term ended before the Parliament could [[2003 Czech presidential election|elect a new one]]. His government proposed some reformed to address the growing budget deficit, but their proposals were criticised by the opposition being too mild, as well as focusing too much on tax increases rather than spending cuts. Partly due to tensions within the coalition and a slim majority in the parliament, the government was unable or unwilling to take more radical measures.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}}


Špidla resigned as Prime Minister in June 2004 following poor results for his party and coalition partners in the [[2004 European Parliament election in the Czech Republic|2004 European Parliament elections]] and subsequent loss of support within ČSSD, and he left office on 26 July 2004. He was succeeded by Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister [[Stanislav Gross]], whose government was sworn in on 4 August. Špidla then accepted the nomination to the [[European Commission]], where he became European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities from 22 November 2004.
Špidla resigned as prime minister in June 2004 following poor results for his party and coalition partners in the [[2004 European Parliament election in the Czech Republic|2004 European Parliament elections]] and subsequent loss of support within ČSSD, and he left office on 26 July 2004. He was succeeded by Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister [[Stanislav Gross]], whose government was sworn in on 4 August. Špidla then accepted the nomination to the [[European Commission]], where he became European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities from 22 November 2004.


Špidla was considered to be on the left wing of ČSSD, though strongly anti-communist. In foreign policy, he was strongly pro-European and expressed support for further integration. His acceptance of the European Commissioner post was criticised as a "[[golden parachute]]", as well as an abandonment of ČSSD and Czech politics.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}}
Špidla was considered to be on the left wing of ČSSD, though strongly anti-communist. In foreign policy, he was strongly pro-European and expressed support for further integration. His acceptance of the European Commissioner post was criticised as a "[[golden parachute]]", as well as an abandonment of ČSSD and Czech politics.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}}
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Špidla attempted to return to Czech politics, running for a seat in the Czech senate at the [[2010 Czech Senate election|2010 elections]], but was defeated by incumbent Tomáš Jirsa of the [[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|Civic Democrats]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Špidla po prohře: Nemusím brát každou práci, budu přednášet a psát|url=http://zpravy.idnes.cz/spidla-po-prohre-nemusim-brat-kazdou-praci-budu-prednaset-a-psat-p84-/domaci.aspx?c=A101023_072934_domaci_kop|website=iDNES.cz|access-date=1 August 2016|date=23 October 2010}}</ref> In 2014, Špidla became Chief Adviser to Prime Minister [[Bohuslav Sobotka]].
Špidla attempted to return to Czech politics, running for a seat in the Czech senate at the [[2010 Czech Senate election|2010 elections]], but was defeated by incumbent Tomáš Jirsa of the [[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|Civic Democrats]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Špidla po prohře: Nemusím brát každou práci, budu přednášet a psát|url=http://zpravy.idnes.cz/spidla-po-prohre-nemusim-brat-kazdou-praci-budu-prednaset-a-psat-p84-/domaci.aspx?c=A101023_072934_domaci_kop|website=iDNES.cz|access-date=1 August 2016|date=23 October 2010}}</ref> In 2014, Špidla became Chief Adviser to Prime Minister [[Bohuslav Sobotka]].


Špidla was nominated by the Prague branch of ČSSD for the [[2021 Czech legislative election|2021 legislative election]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Návraty v ČSSD: Po Škromachovi míří na kandidátku expremiér Špidla |url=https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/navraty-v-cssd-po-skromachovi-miri-na-kandidatku-expremier-spidla-151813 |website=www.seznamzpravy.cz |access-date=11 July 2021}}</ref> However, the party did not reach the 5% threshold and Špidla thus did not become an MP.<ref>{{cite web |last1=televize |first1=Česká |title=Vítězství pravice otevírá prostor pro politiku sociální demokracie, předpovídá Špidla |url=https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/domaci/3384494-vitezstvi-pravice-otevira-prostor-pro-politiku-socialni-demokracie-predpovida-spidla |website=ČT24 - Nejdůvěryhodnější zpravodajský web v ČR - Česká televize |access-date=12 July 2022 |language=cs}}</ref>
Špidla was nominated by the Prague branch of ČSSD for the [[2021 Czech legislative election|2021 legislative election]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Návraty v ČSSD: Po Škromachovi míří na kandidátku expremiér Špidla |url=https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/navraty-v-cssd-po-skromachovi-miri-na-kandidatku-expremier-spidla-151813 |website=Seznam Zprávy |access-date=11 July 2021}}</ref> However, the party did not reach the 5% threshold and Špidla thus did not become an MP.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Česká televize|title=Vítězství pravice otevírá prostor pro politiku sociální demokracie, předpovídá Špidla |url=https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/domaci/3384494-vitezstvi-pravice-otevira-prostor-pro-politiku-socialni-demokracie-predpovida-spidla |website=ČT24|access-date=12 July 2022 |language=cs}}</ref>


Špidla ran in the [[2022 Czech Senate election]] for the Senate seat of [[Senate district 19 – Prague 11|Prague 11]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ještě pořád mám sílu, řekl Špidla, který kandiduje za ČSSD do Senátu |url=https://www.idnes.cz/volby/praha/spidla-kavur-pavlik-kandidatura-senat-cssd-volby.A220712_133619_domaci_baky |website=iDnes.cz |access-date=12 July 2022}}</ref> He received 8.39% of votes finishing 5th and thus failed to advance to second round.<ref name="Vítězové a poražení voleb: Slaví Novotný či Vandas. Neuspěl Špidla, v cílové rovince padl Váňa">{{cite web |last1=Prima |first1=F. T. V. |title=Vítězové a poražení voleb: Slaví Novotný či Vandas. Neuspěl Špidla, v cílové rovince padl Váňa |url=https://cnn.iprima.cz/vitezove-a-porazeni-voleb-slavi-novotny-ruzicka-ci-vandas-padli-spidla-vana-i-schillerova-187248 |website=cnn.iprima.cz |access-date=15 November 2022 |language=cs}}</ref>
Špidla ran in the [[2022 Czech Senate election]] for the Senate seat of [[Senate district 19 – Prague 11|Prague 11]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ještě pořád mám sílu, řekl Špidla, který kandiduje za ČSSD do Senátu |url=https://www.idnes.cz/volby/praha/spidla-kavur-pavlik-kandidatura-senat-cssd-volby.A220712_133619_domaci_baky |website=iDnes.cz |access-date=12 July 2022}}</ref> He received 8.39% of votes finishing 5th and thus failed to advance to second round.<ref name="Vítězové a poražení voleb: Slaví Novotný či Vandas. Neuspěl Špidla, v cílové rovince padl Váňa">{{cite web |publisher=Prima F. T. V.|title=Vítězové a poražení voleb: Slaví Novotný či Vandas. Neuspěl Špidla, v cílové rovince padl Váňa |url=https://cnn.iprima.cz/vitezove-a-porazeni-voleb-slavi-novotny-ruzicka-ci-vandas-padli-spidla-vana-i-schillerova-187248 |website=cnn.iprima.cz |access-date=15 November 2022 |language=cs}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
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[[Category:Politicians from Prague]]
[[Category:Politicians from Prague]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Czech Social Democratic Party]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Czech Social Democratic Party]]
[[Category:Czech European Commissioners]]
[[Category:Czech European commissioners]]
[[Category:Labour and Social Affairs ministers of the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Labour and Social Affairs ministers of the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Prime Ministers of the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Prime ministers of the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Acting presidents of the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Charles University alumni]]
[[Category:Charles University alumni]]
[[Category:Czech Social Democratic Party MPs]]
[[Category:Czech Social Democratic Party MPs]]

Latest revision as of 23:43, 6 September 2024

Vladimír Špidla
Špidla in 2007
Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
In office
12 July 2002 – 4 August 2004
PresidentVáclav Havel
Václav Klaus
Preceded byMiloš Zeman
Succeeded byStanislav Gross
European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities
In office
22 November 2004 – 9 February 2010
PresidentJosé Manuel Barroso
Preceded byAnna Diamantopoulou
Stavros Dimas (Employment and Social Affairs)
Succeeded byLászló Andor (Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion)
President of the Czech Republic
Acting
In office
3 February 2003 – 7 March 2003
Serving with Lubomír Zaorálek
Preceded byVáclav Havel
Succeeded byVáclav Klaus
Leader of the Social Democratic Party
In office
7 April 2001 – 26 July 2004
Preceded byMiloš Zeman
Succeeded byStanislav Gross
First Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Labour and Social Affairs
In office
22 July 1998 – 12 July 2002
Prime MinisterMiloš Zeman
Preceded byStanislav Volák
Succeeded byZdeněk Škromach
Member of the Chamber of Deputies
In office
1 January 1996 – 31 August 2004
Personal details
Born (1951-04-22) 22 April 1951 (age 73)
Prague, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic)
Political partySocial Democratic Party
Alma materCharles University in Prague
Signature

Vladimír Špidla (Czech pronunciation: [ˈvlaɟɪmiːr ˈʃpɪdla]; born 22 April 1951) is a Czech politician who served as the prime minister of the Czech Republic from July 2002 to August 2004 and as European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities from November 2004 to February 2010. He also served as chief adviser to Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka from 2014 to 2017.

Early life

[edit]

Born in Prague, Špidla studied history at Charles University. His thesis was Založení Živnostenské banky (Establishment of the Entrepreneurial Bank). After his graduation in 1976, he worked in several different jobs, including menial ones, as he refused to fulfil political obligations necessary[clarification needed] for access to better employment. He also worked as an archaeologist.

Political career

[edit]

Špidla entered local politics in his hometown of Jindřichův Hradec after the Velvet Revolution, joining the re-established Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD, then called "Czechoslovak Social Democracy"). In 1991–1996 he served as the director of the district labour office. In 1992, he became a member of the Presidium of ČSSD, in March 1997 its statutory vice-chairman, and in April 2001 chairman of ČSSD after the previous chairman Miloš Zeman resigned. He was elected to parliament in 1996, and was First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Affairs in the government of Miloš Zeman from 22 July 1998 to 12 July 2002.

He was appointed prime minister on 12 July 2002 in the coalition government of ČSSD and the smaller Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party and Freedom Union-Democratic Union. During that time, he also held Presidential powers from 2 February 2003 until 7 March 2003, as the presidential term ended before the Parliament could elect a new one. His government proposed some reformed to address the growing budget deficit, but their proposals were criticised by the opposition being too mild, as well as focusing too much on tax increases rather than spending cuts. Partly due to tensions within the coalition and a slim majority in the parliament, the government was unable or unwilling to take more radical measures.[citation needed]

Špidla resigned as prime minister in June 2004 following poor results for his party and coalition partners in the 2004 European Parliament elections and subsequent loss of support within ČSSD, and he left office on 26 July 2004. He was succeeded by Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Stanislav Gross, whose government was sworn in on 4 August. Špidla then accepted the nomination to the European Commission, where he became European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities from 22 November 2004.

Špidla was considered to be on the left wing of ČSSD, though strongly anti-communist. In foreign policy, he was strongly pro-European and expressed support for further integration. His acceptance of the European Commissioner post was criticised as a "golden parachute", as well as an abandonment of ČSSD and Czech politics.[citation needed]

As a Commissioner, Špidla stated his desire to preserve the European social model, and said that Europe needed to preserve its "core values of social justice, equality, respect for rights and dignity for every individual."[1] His key policies were to "create more and better jobs," "reap the benefits of its enlargement," "address the impact of demographic ageing" and "promote an inclusive society."[1] He also created a European Globalisation adjustment Fund (EGF) similar to the European Social Fund to help businesses adjust to the effects of globalisation.[2] He stood down in February 2010.

Špidla attempted to return to Czech politics, running for a seat in the Czech senate at the 2010 elections, but was defeated by incumbent Tomáš Jirsa of the Civic Democrats.[3] In 2014, Špidla became Chief Adviser to Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka.

Špidla was nominated by the Prague branch of ČSSD for the 2021 legislative election.[4] However, the party did not reach the 5% threshold and Špidla thus did not become an MP.[5]

Špidla ran in the 2022 Czech Senate election for the Senate seat of Prague 11.[6] He received 8.39% of votes finishing 5th and thus failed to advance to second round.[7]

Personal life

[edit]

Špidla has been married twice; he has two sons from his first marriage and another two children acquired by marriage. His hobbies include cross-country and marathon running. He speaks German and French, but his English is weaker, which was used to question his qualifications for the European Commission.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Vladimir Spidla - EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities". ec.europa.eu. Archived from the original on 18 October 2006.
  2. ^ "European Globalisation Adjustment Fund". Archived from the original on 12 March 2009. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
  3. ^ "Špidla po prohře: Nemusím brát každou práci, budu přednášet a psát". iDNES.cz. 23 October 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  4. ^ "Návraty v ČSSD: Po Škromachovi míří na kandidátku expremiér Špidla". Seznam Zprávy. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Vítězství pravice otevírá prostor pro politiku sociální demokracie, předpovídá Špidla". ČT24 (in Czech). Česká televize. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  6. ^ "Ještě pořád mám sílu, řekl Špidla, který kandiduje za ČSSD do Senátu". iDnes.cz. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Vítězové a poražení voleb: Slaví Novotný či Vandas. Neuspěl Špidla, v cílové rovince padl Váňa". cnn.iprima.cz (in Czech). Prima F. T. V. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
[edit]
Party political offices
Preceded by Chairperson of the Social Democratic Party
2001–2004
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
2002–2004
Succeeded by
Preceded by Czech European Commissioner
2004–2010
Succeeded by
Preceded byas European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities
2004–2010
Succeeded byas European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion