Czech Communists Lose Party Control; Vow Open Elections

Parliament voted today to strip the Communist Party of its guaranteed monopoly on political power, and a member of the ruling Politburo said the first free elections in four decades could be held within a year.

The 350-member Federal Assembly unanimously approved the abolition of Article Four of the constitution, which states that the party shall have a “leading role.”

Ousted party leader Milos Jakes and several hard-liners who lost their ruling Politburo posts after massive anti-Communist protests were among those who voted for the move.

Politburo member Vasil Mohorita said today that free elections could be held within a year, now that the Communist Party has agreed to relinquish its monopoly on power.

Mohorita, the first member of the new leadership to face the international press, was asked at a news conference when Czechoslovaks would have a chance to vote freely, and replied:

“First, it is necessary to change the laws. Most probably it will take place within a year. We don’t want the monopoly of one party to continue.”

In parliamentary debate, broadcast live on state TV for the first time, deputies openly admitted past party failures and said the Communists must work hard to win the people’s confidence.

“We have betrayed the trust of the electorate, and whatever laws we pass today will not change this,” said Blanka Hykova of the Socialist Party, until recently a docile ally of the Communists.

Anton Blazej, dean of a Communist Party training academy, said: “We have misunderstood the leading role of the party and its position. We must regain this trust.”

Defense Minister Milan Vaclavik, a member of Parliament, sounded a cautionary note: “I am aware that neither the army nor the party have the best position now. We should be aware that retreats and compromises are necessary, but there are limits.”

Alois Indra, who said Tuesday he was quitting as Parliament president, delivered a formal speech of resignation to the 350-member chamber.

He described the resignation as “a logical step in the context of the present developments.”

Indra was said to be among party leaders who requested the Soviet-led invasion of August, 1968, that crushed the “Prague Spring” of reform instituted by Alexander Dubcek, then Communist Party chief.

The requirement that Marxism-Leninism be the guiding principle of education was removed from the constitution, as demanded by students who staged the Nov. 17 protest and have led the pro-democracy movement since.

An agreement on reforms was reached Tuesday in a two-hour meeting between the government and representatives of the opposition group Civic Forum.