Havel at Columbia



This Day in The Velvet Revolution, 1989

December 12, 1989: Electoral-procedure debates begin in Federal Assembly

The Communist Party and the opposition negotiate over the procedure for electing a president to replace Husák. The Communists push to change the constitution and have the President elected by popular ballot rather than by the Parliament. This is widely seen as a move to keep Havel from gaining the office, since he is not well known outside of Prague and would not likely win a popular vote. Chanting crowds gather outside the chambers in support of Havel's candidacy.