Mr. Vladimir ŠPIDLA

Born on April 22, 1951 in Prague, Mr Špidla completed his secondary education in 1970 to enrolin the Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague where he read history and prehistory. In 1976, he successfully defended his thesis on the subject of the foundation of the Živnobanka financial institution. He then took up a number of jobs: such as in the field of preservation of historical monuments and nature conservation; archaeologist, saw mill worker, employee in a dairy and a building materials warehouse.

Without party affiliation before 1989, Mr.Spidla is one of the founding members of the CSSD, the Czech Social Democratic Party. In 1990, Mr Špidla became Vice-Chairman of the Jindřichùv Hradec District National Committee responsible for education, health care, social affairs and culture. In 1991 - 1996, he served as director of the local job centre. In 1992, he became a member of the Presidium of the Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD), in March 1997 its statutory Vice-Chairman, and in April 2001 Chairman of the CSSD.

In the Chamber of Deputies, to which he was elected in 1996, he served as Chairman of the Parliamentary Social Policy and Health Care Committee. From July 22, 1998 to July 12 2002, he held the post of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Affairs authorised by the Government to co-ordinate the departments of labour and social affairs, health care, education, youth and physical training, the environment, and culture. He was appointed as Prime Minister on July 12, 2002. As of 22 November 2004 Mr Spidla is European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.

His hobbies include care of historical monuments, cross-country running and various outdoor sports. Mr Špidla is married for the second time; he has two children from his first marriage and another two acquired by marriage.

CV

Personal details
Nationality: Czech
Born April 22nd, 1951 in Prague, Czech Republic
Married, 2 children
 

Education

1974: Charles University of Prague,
         Master Degree at the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
1976: Charles University of Prague, PhD. in History and Prehistory
 

Professional career

Before 1989

• saw-mill worker
• scene-shifter
• dairy industry worker
• public administrator in culture heritage preservation
• archaeologist
• construction worker
• public administrator in nature protection and environment

From 1990

• 1990/91: Vice-Chairman of Regional Public Authority in Jindřichùv Hradec
               (responsible for social affairs, education, health care and culture)
• 1991/96: Director of Regional Employment Authority

Political career

1990: initiated resumption of the Social Democrats in Southern Bohemia region
 
1992: became a Member of the Czech Social Democratic Party (CSDP) Presidium
 
1996: elected Member of the Parliament (Chamber of Deputies) for the CSDP
         Chairman of the Social Policy and Health Care Committee of the Chamber
 
1997: elected Vice-Chairman of the CSDP
 
1998: re-elected Member of the Parliament (Chamber of Deputies) for the CSDP
         - First Deputy Prime Minister
         - Minister of Labour and Social Affairs
 
2001: Chairman of the Czech Social Democratic Party (CSDP)
 
2002: won the general elections
         - Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
 
2004: nominated as member of the European Commission