Klaus, Václav

views updated May 11 2018

Klaus, Václav (1941– ) Czech statesman, prime minister (1993–97). Following the ‘Velvet Revolution’ (1989) he became finance minister in Václav Havel's administration. In 1991 Klaus founded the Civic Democratic Party (ODS). He became prime minister of the Czech Republic following the break-up of Czechoslovakia, but was forced to resign by a financial scandal. He was replaced by Milos Zeman.