Defending the Democratic ‘Myth’

Abstract

The main body of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile, including President Beneš, left London for liberated Czechoslovak territories on 11 March 1945. Their journey led first to Moscow, for political negotiations with the Communists. Both parties discussed the formation of the new government and its political programme up to the first post-war elections. The negotiations proved that the Communists intended to play a decisive role in the new Republic.¹ Beneš’s position as President was not questioned, but Zdeněk Fierlinger, the Czechoslovak Ambassador to Moscow, a Social Democrat and admirer of the Soviet system, became Prime Minister. Only four parties in Bohemia and Moravia and four in Slovakia were allowed to function and they formed the National Front, a coalition government ruling without opposition. The Communists were allocated two of the five deputy Prime Minister posts plus other important government portfolios, including the Ministry of the Interior. The new government was sworn into office at the beginning of April and moved to Košice, in Eastern Slovakia, as its provisional seat.