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What reforms did the Prague Spring Action Program propose?
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Czechoslovak history
Saints Cyril and Methodius, mural by Zahari Zograf, 1848; in the Troyan Monastery, Bulgaria.
Adopted by the Central Committee in April 1968, the Action Program was the cornerstone of the reformist government led by Alexander Dubček. It aimed to implement "socialism with a human face" through several key initiatives:1
- Political Democratization: The program proposed a strict division of powers, ensuring the National Assembly functioned as the primary governing body rather than a branch of the Communist Party. It also called for independent courts to act as arbiters between branches of government.1
- Civil Rights: It envisioned a revised constitution to guarantee civil rights and liberties, alongside the complete rehabilitation of citizens whose rights had been previously infringed.1
- Federalization: The program promoted the elevation of Slovakia to full parity within a new Czechoslovak federation.1
- Economic Reform: It included long-overdue industrial and agricultural reforms.1
- Political Role: While not recommending full political pluralism, it required the Communist Party to justify its leadership by competing freely with other emerging organizations.1