1965 Czechoslovak federal election (WFAC)

Federal elections were held in Czechoslovakia in 1965. All 300 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and all 150 seats in the Chamber of Nations were up for election, with MPs elected by party-list proportional representation and all Senators elected by first-past-the-post voting.

Background
In the previous election, held in 1961, the Social Democratic Party defended their position as the largest party. Miloslav Rechcígl and the centre-right Republican Party, who enjoyed a swing of 4.28 percentage points and won 90 seats, emerged victorious. In total, the non-socialist bloc won 157 seats, thus having a majority of six seats. The red bloc won 135 seats, losing a total of nineteen seats. As a result, Rechcígl formed a minority cabinet following the election, comprising the Republicans, the Czechoslovak People's Party and the Slovak People's Party, with the Liberal Democrats providing parliamentary support.

Political developments
Under Rechcígl the Czechoslovak economy enjoyed a continuous growth, in what was later called the Czechoslovak economic miracle (Czech: Československý hospodářský zázrak). The economy recorded an average GDP growth rate of 5.1% per year between 1951 and 1963, with rates of growth coming in third only behind the German and Italian rates.

In general there were only minor changes in the economic course led by the Rechcígl government, and they continued in the same main direction as the Social Democratic Party had done with a focus on the welfare state and a strong public sector. With support of the ČSL/SĽS and the Social Democrats the Rechcígl government increased social program spending. With their support the government passed a reform of pensions as well as invalidity and unemployment benefits (Act No. 101/1964), and extended social security for farmers (Act No. 103/1964). Within the church and cultural policy, the ČSL/SĽS secured stronger goverment support for schools run by Christian organizations. Free school books was also introduced in primary schools in 1963.

Tax cuts was a central political issue for the Republicans and the Liberal Democrats, and in the first three years the government agreed to reduce the income tax burden somewhat. However, further requests for tax cuts from the Liberal Democrats were denied. Rechcígl had become cautious of tax changes that benefited high income groups. While both the Republicans and the Liberal Democrats insisted on balanced budgets, Republicans' proposal to increase fees to reach this goal was shot down as "politically impossible" by the Liberal Democratic leader František Přeučil.

One of Rechcígl's main campaign issues in 1961 had been nuclear energy. The Rechcígl government announced in 1963 that the Czechoslovak government would build its first nuclear power station, in Jaslovské Bohunice (western Slovakia). Supporters of the plant argued that it would mean the country would not have to buy electricity from Germany, while opponents criticed of some features of nuclear power including its safety. Nuclear waste disposal was also widely recognized as a major problem. As a result, Rechcígl announced a referendum on nuclear power, which was set down for 14 September 1964. The referendum resulted in 62.5% voting in favor of nuclear power.

Electoral system
The 300 members of the Chamber of Deputies were elected from 14 multi-member constituencies (each usually electing between five and 25 members) using open list proportional representation, in which they could give preferential votes for up to four candidates on their chosen list. Seats were allocated using the d'Hondt method, with an electoral threshold at 4% threshold for single parties and 8% threshold for coalitions (requirements waived for national minorities). The members of the Chamber of Nations were elected using first-past-the-post voting in 150 single-member districts; 75 in each republic. To be included on a ballot, a senate candidate had to present 2000 signatures of support from their constituents. Should a party have 151 or more deputies in the Chamber of Deputies, it has an absolute majority and can thus govern autonomously, without the need for support from other parties. The constitution can be amended with a super majority of two-thirds, or 301 deputies.

The Czechoslovak constitution states that elections to the Federal Assembly must be held every four years. Polling days in Czechoslovakia are Friday and Saturday, and voters could submit their ballots on either day. The exact date of the election was to be chosen by the President, who is obliged to call it at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the electoral term and ending on the day of its expiration. If the Chamber of Deputies were dissolved, elections should be held within 60 days of its dissolution.

Parties
The parties that had been elected to the Federal Assembly in the previous elections and still were represented had the right to participate in the federal elections - that is, they were automatically eligible for the election.

New parties wishing to participate in the election should send their application to the Minister of the Interior by 12:00 p.m. fifteen days before the election. Together with the application papers, the party had to submit a number of signatures corresponding at least to 1/300th of all valid votes cast at the last federal elections. In that election, 7,975,612 valid votes were cast, and a new party should therefore collect at least 26,585 signatures to become eligible for the election.