1934 Czechoslovak presidential election

The 1934 Czechoslovak presidential election took place on 24 May 1934. Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk was elected for his fourth term.[1]

1934 Czechoslovak presidential election

24 May 1934

Nominee Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk Klement Gottwald Party Independent KSČ Electoral vote 327 38 Percentage 78.2% 9.1%

President before election Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk Independent Elected President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk Independent

Background

Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk was 84 years old when his third term concluded. He wanted Edvard Beneš to become his successor but Beneš didn't have required support and Masaryk decided to run instead of him.[2] Masaryk had to deal with poor health and suffered a stroke prior to election. Communist Party of Czechoslovakia nominated Klement Gottwald as its candidate.[1]

Procedure

President was elected by bicameral parliament that consisted of 300 Deputies and 150 Senators.[3] Candidate needed 60% of votes to be elected.[4][5]

Voting

Candidate		Votes	%
	Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk	327	78.23
	Blank votes	53	12.68
	Klement Gottwald	38	9.09

418 electors voted. Masaryk received 327 votes while Gottwald received 38 votes. 53 Ballots were blank.[6]

Aftermath

Masaryk resigned on 14 December 1935 and Edvard Beneš was elected his successor.[7]

References

1. televize, Česká. "TGM: Čtyři prezidentské volby a každá úplně jiná". ČT24 (in Czech). Retrieved 2 February 2018.
2. "1934 - Volba prezidenta 2008 (Český rozhlas)". www.rozhlas.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2 February 2018.
3. "Bouřlivé ovace i protesty komunistů. Masaryk vyhrál čtyřikrát, naposled mu už napovídali slova slibu". Aktuálně.cz - Víte, co se právě děje (in Czech). 14 September 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
4. "1927 - Volba prezidenta 2008 (Český rozhlas)". www.rozhlas.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2 February 2018.
5. "Masaryka zvolili řvoucí poslanci a Beneš poplival Háchu". TÝDEN.cz. 12 January 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
6. "Poslední prezidentská volba T. G. Masaryka v roce 1934". www.modernidejiny.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2 February 2018.
7. "Jak jsme volili prezidenta Masaryka? Divili byste se, jak to bylo napínavé | Prima Zoo". Zoom magazin (in Czech). Retrieved 2 February 2018.