Havel Era Ends in Czech Republic ; Political Gridlock Has Prevented Election of a Successor to the Man Who Led the 'Velvet Revolution.'

Farnam, Arie, The Christian Science Monitor

It is the end of an era. Czech President Vaclav Havel, the last of the anticommunist heroes still in power in Central or Eastern Europe, leaves office Sunday.

A renowned playwright and political prisoner before the 1989 "Velvet Revolution," Havel was catapulted into the president's chair by his charisma and the proverbial circumstance of being in the right place at the right time. After 13 years at the helm, first of Czechoslovakia and then of the Czech Republic, he remains the only figure most Czechs can envision in the castle overlooking Prague.

"He is a star that rose above everyday politics," says Olga Sommerova, a Czech film director. "A person like that is …

Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information: Article title: Havel Era Ends in Czech Republic ; Political Gridlock Has Prevented Election of a Successor to the Man Who Led the 'Velvet Revolution.'. Contributors: Farnam, Arie - Author. Newspaper title: The Christian Science Monitor. Publication date: January 31, 2003. Page number: 6. © 2009 The Christian Science Publishing Society. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.

This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.