Statutes of the political party Path of Change   Article 1 PREAMBLE 1.  Name of the political party is Cesta zmeny, translated Path of Change, abbreviated CZ, and hereinafter referred to as the party. 2.  The party is active in the Czech Republic. 3.  Seat of the political party is Praha 1, Perlová 1, 110 00. Article 2 PROGRAM GOALS 1.  Improvement of the quality of life of the Czech Republic's citizens primarily by following the principles of a legal state and development of the civic society. 2.  Stable society based on a West European type of parliamentary democracy. 3.  Society based on the widest possible civil liberties and rights, equality before the law and equality of opportunities. 4.  Permissive society based on human tolerance and mutual respect. 5.  Fight with corruption and a hyper strophic state administration. 6.  High level of education and culture of the citizens of the Czech Republic. 7.  Market economy complemented by a high quality social and health care institute network. 8.  Czech Republic as a full scope member of the European Union with an emphasis on the values and culture of the Euro Atlantic civilization. 9.  Reinforcement of direct democracy. 10.  Allowing specialists and generally recognized personalities to execute public duties and offices without a prerequisite to be a member of a political party. Article 3 MEMBERSHIP 1.  Any citizen over 18 years of age may become a member of the party providing he or she fulfills the following: a.  has full legal capacity, b.  fills out and signs the required application form, c.  presents a statutory declaration stating he had never been a member nor a candidate of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (KSC) or Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM) or a member of a party or a movement promoting violence or racial, national and social intolerance, d.  presents a criminal record statement not older than 2 months, e.  commits himself to follow the statutes and ethical code of the party, attesting such a commitment by his signature, f.  pledges to work for and support the party goals, g.  his act of joining of the party is approved by the minimum of a two thirds majority of the present members of the Republic Council followed by recommendation of the respective Regional Council. Each party member is obliged to present within 6 months from the moment of his joining of the party a certificate issued based on provision of § 4 of the Act No. 451/1991 Coll., the so called Lustration Act, and on the amendments on further acts, providing evidence that in the period between February 25, 1948 and November 17,1989 he was not a member of SNB (National Security Corps) with position in StB (the state police) nor was he registered in the StB records based on provision of § 2 article 1 index letter b) of the above mentioned Act (the so called negative lustration certificate). This requirement is obligatory for all applicants born in 1971 and earlier. A person who is interested in the party membership presents the application form to the Regional Organization corresponding to the place of his permanent residency. This organization reviews it at its closest upcoming assembly. If all the requirements according to article 3, item 1, index letters a) through f) are met and membership is recommended by the Regional Council, the application is forwarded to the Republic Council. It makes the decision also at its closest upcoming assembly. Party membership originates with the date of the decision about the admission to membership taken by the Republic Council which than notifies in written the Regional Council and the applicant as well. List of members is administered in the party central register and each member is simultaneously registered as a member of a respective regional organization of the party corresponding to the member's permanent residency. Article 4 EXTINCTION OF MEMBERSHIP 1.  Membership in the party expires: a.  on the day of the decision of the Republic Council about expulsion from the party if during the registration process the member provided false or flagrantly biased data, b.  on the day of the receipt of a written declaration about the withdrawal of the member from the party either in the seat of the party or the seat of the respective Regional Organization, c.  on the day of the decision about the expulsion of the member taken by a two thirds majority of the present members of the Republic Council in case that the member repeatedly committed or has been committing such acts that seriously violate the ethical code of the party or its statutes, or committed a deliberate criminal offence resulting in a final judgment, d.  on the day the member joins another political party or political movement, with candidacy to a public office on behalf of other party or political movement by the day of the registration in the list of candidates, e.  on the day of legal validity of court's decision about the member's incapacitation or restraint of his legal capacity, f.  by death, g.  on the first day following the term according to article 3, item 2 of the statutes, if the member does not fulfill the obligation there stated unless he asked in a written form 2 weeks before the end of the term for its prolongation in the seat of the respective Regional Organization or the seat of the party. By delivering of the request for prolongation the term is automatically prolonged for 3 more months and the new term begins on the day following the one that the term expired without any effect. Membership expires on the day following the last day of the prolonged term, which did not bring any effect. 2.  A written appeal may be entered against the decision of the Republic Council about the expulsion of the member according to the item 1, index letter a), c) by the person that is effected by it within 15 days from the moment he learned about the expulsion. Such an appeal must be delivered to a Republic Committee of Appeal, whose decision is final and in case it confirms the decision of the Republic Council about the expulsion of a member such an expulsion is valid as of the day of the decision of the Republic Committee of Appeal. From the moment of the decision of the Republic Council about the expulsion of a member until a final decision taken by the Republic Committee of Appeal, the membership of such a member is suspended. Article 5 SUSPENSION OF MEMBERSHIP 1.  Membership may be suspended based on a written request of the member delivered to the seat of the respective Regional Organization or the seat of the party. The Republic Council decides about the membership suspension by a simple majority of the present members. The party membership is suspended for a period stated in the request and is valid from the day of decision of the Republic Council. 2.  Membership may be suspended based on a decision of the Republic Council, taken by a minimum of two thirds of the present members if the member was accused of committing a deliberate criminal act. 3.  During the period of the membership suspension the member is suspended of exercising all rights and obligations resulting from the membership. 4.  The body that decided about the membership suspension will cancel this decision if it will be proven that a.  the reasons for the membership suspension were not given, b.  prosecution for criminal offence was stopped. Article 6 RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE MEMBERS 1.  Party member has a right to: a.  access to information regarding party activities, b.  take part in discussions of matters concerning the party, c.  present his opinions, submit proposals, complaints and questions, d.  vote and run as candidate for party bodies in the extent and in accordance with the statutes, e.  run as candidate for legislative bodies and public offices and propose candidates (formal requirements of such a proposal are stated by the respective body), f.  vote in the internal party referendum, if these are declared by the Republic Council, g.  participate in the activities of specialized working groups. 2.  Party member has an obligation to: a.  abide by the ethical code and the party statutes, b.  support the party goals, c.  fulfill the decisions of the party bodies, d.  pay membership fees in the amount stated by the Republic Assembly. Article 7 REGISTERED SUPPORTERS 1.  Persons that are not party members or do not want to be according to the article 3 of the statutes, but do have interest to participate in its activities, may acquire a status of a registered supporter. 2.  Registered supporter of the party may be any citizen who: a.  does not apply as a party member and fills out a required application either in a written form or an electronic form on internet, b.  is willing to support the party goals and in the application form declares to abide by the party statutes and its ethical code. 3.  The status of the registered supporter originates on the day the filled out application form is received by the respective Regional Organization or the party main office, while the day of acceptance is the day this supporter was added to the list of the registered supporters. 4.  List of registered supporters is administered in the party central register. Article 8 EXTINCTION AND SUSPENSION OF THE REGISTERED SUPPORTER STATUS 1.  The status of the registered supporter expires: a.  by a written declaration of the registered supporter about the termination of the registration, this on the day when such a declaration was delivered to the seat of the party or the seat of the respective Regional Organization, b.  on the day of a decision about the termination of the status of registered supporter adopted by the minimum of a two thirds majority of all members of the Republic Council. Such a decision may be taken by the Republic Council in case that the registered supporter commits an act that seriously violates the ethical code of the party or its statutes, or in the application form provided false or flagrantly biased data, or committed a deliberate criminal offence resulting in a final judgment, c.  on the day he joins another political party or political movement, d.  with candidacy to a public office on behalf of other party by the day of the registration in the list of candidates, e.  with death. 2.  The Regional or Republic Council may suspend the status of registered supporter, if the registered supporter was accused of committing a deliberate criminal offence. With the suspension of the status of the registered supporter the execution of his rights is suspended. 3.  The body that decided about the suspension of the status of the registered supporter according to the item 2 will cancel the suspension if it is proven that prosecution for criminal offence was stopped. 4.  A written appeal may be entered against the decision of the Republic Council about the termination of the status of a registered supporter according to the item 1, index letter b), and against the decision about the suspension of the status of a registered supporter according to the item 2 by the person that is effected by it within 15 days from the moment he learned about the termination or suspension. Such an appeal must be delivered to a Republic Committee of Appeal, whose decision is final and in case it confirms the decision of the Republic Council such a decision is valid as of the day of the decision of the Republic Committee of Appeal. Until a final decision about the appeal according to the item 1, indexed letter b) the status of a registered supporter and the execution of the rights and obligations resulting from it are suspended. Article 9 RIGHTS OF THE REGISTERED SUPPORTERS 1.  Registered supporter has a right to: a.  access to information regarding party activities, b.  present his opinions, submit proposals and questions, c.  run as candidate for legislative bodies and public offices and propose candidates (formal requirements of such a proposal are stated by the respective body), d.  vote in the internal party referendum, if these are declared by the Republic Council opened also for the registered supporters, e.  participate in the activities of specialized working groups. 2.  Registered supporter has no right to vote or be voted into the party bodies. Article 10 PARTY BODIES 1.  The party bodies are Regional Assembly, Regional Council, Regional Controller and Regional Committee of Appeal; Republic Assembly, Republic Council, party Chairman, party Vice-Chairmen, Civic Council, Supervisory and Auditing Committee and Republic Committee of Appeal. 2.  The party bodies act according to the orders of procedures and electoral regulations approved by the Republic Council, unless prescribed differently. 3.  The party bodies are qualified for decision making with the presence of at least half of their members or delegates, unless further on prescribed differently. In order to pass a resolution an absolute majority of the present is required, unless prescribed differently. Only members or delegates with decisive vote make take part in voting, unless prescribed differently. 4.  The statutory body of the party is the Republic Council. The party Chairman acts on behalf of the Republic Council, unless prescribed differently in the statutes. Signing on behalf of the party is done in such a manner that along a written or printed name of the party the Chairman adjoins his name, surname, party position and his signature. 5.  Other members or employees of the party may proceed with legal acts on behalf of the party only based on a written proxy that is conferred to them by people authorized to act on behalf of the party. 6.  The incumbency of all party bodies is three years. 7.  All votes on personal matters are secret unless the respective party body decides before the voting differently by a two-thirds majority of the present. Other votes are public unless the respective party body decides before the voting differently by a two-thirds majority of the present. Article 11 REGIONAL ORGANIZATION 1.  Regional organization is a basic organizational unit of the party. It may acquire assets and other proprietary rights in the benefit of the party without any limits, in accordance with the internal regulations and generally binding legal regulations. The assets acquired by the regional organization are property of the party. The Regional Organization may manage only the property that it was entrusted by the Republic Council. If such a property was entrusted for a specific purpose as decided by the Republic Council, it may use it only for that specific purpose. The Regional Organizations may accept obligations and act in the name of the party only within the limits of their management of the entrusted property and further on in the extent of a written proxy granted by the Republic Council. Chairman of the Regional Organization acts on its behalf. In his absence or based on his written proxy the Vice-Chairman of the Regional Organization takes his place. Chairman of the Regional Organization may sign on behalf of the party only based on a written proxy and within the extent there stated which is granted by persons authorized to act on behalf of the party according to Article 10, item 4 of the statutes. 2.  The Republic Council makes decisions about the constitution, abolition (or other organizational division) of the Regional Organization. Part of the decision about the abolition is also the settlement agreement. Regional Organizations are constituted as based on the territorial principle and the provisions of the constitutional act No. 347/1997 Coll. about the establishment of the higher autonomous units, and the amendments on further acts. 3.  Regional Organization is composed of the Regional Assembly and Regional Council. 4.  Regional Assembly: a.  is the highest body in the region. Its member is every member of the party, who is a member of the respective Regional Organization b.  meets at least once a year unless substituted by a Republic Assembly of all party members. c.  is convened by the Regional Organization Chairman. He is also obliged to convene the assembly within one month since receiving such a request from at least one third of the members in the respective region or if asked so by the Republic Council. d.  elects and withdraws the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of the Regional Organization and other members of the Regional Council in such a manner that the council has a minimum of nine members with decisive vote. e.  elects and withdraws the delegates for the party Republic Assembly following the key set by the Republic Council. f.  approves by a two-thirds majority the candidatures to the elections of the municipal councils and is a party body authorized to set up the list of candidates according to the generally binding legal regulations that regulate such elections. g.  proposes candidates for positions in the party bodies on the republic an regional level. h.  presents candidate proposals for regional authorities and elections to the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate (formal prerequisites of such a proposal are laid out by the respective body). i.  approves the Regional Organization budget and controls its fulfillment. j.  elects and withdraws the Regional Controller and three members of the Regional Committee of Appeal. 5.  Regional Council: a.  is the highest body in the region in the period between the Regional Assemblies and is fully responsible for the party activities in the region. b.  composition: i.  with decisive vote: Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of the Regional Organization and others elected members of the Council, deputies and senators of the Parliament of the Czech Republic members of the party and those elected to their positions in the electoral districts within the territory of the respective Regional Organization, and furthermore regional representatives and mayors , party members, who exercise their powers in the territory of the region, ii.  with consultative vote: deputies and senators of the Parliament of the Czech Republic non-members of the party, those elected to their positions in the electoral districts within the territory of the respective Regional Organization who were on the list of candidates of the Path of Change or with its support , and furthermore regional representatives and mayors , not members of the party, who exercise their powers in the territory of the region, and who were elected to these positions being on the list of candidates of the Path of Change, based on its proposal or with its support, Club Chairmen according to article 19 of the statutes, iii.  invited guests. c.  in case of equality of votes the decisive vote is the one of the Chairman. d.  convenes as need be, at least four times a year. e.  is summoned by the Regional Organization Chairman who is also obliged to summon the Regional Council within 14 days if requested by one third of its members or by the Republic Council. f.  presents the director's report to the Regional Assembly. g.  presents a proposal of the regional manager's employment contract - its initiation and termination - to the party Chairman, or other employees operating within the Regional Organization. 6.  Chairman of the Regional Organization: a.  is the main representative of the party in the region, heads the Regional Organization, together with the Regional Council is responsible for the party activities in the region and represents the Regional Organization. b.  is member of the Republic Council. c.  looks for and proposes candidates for public offices. d.  summons the Regional Assembly and Regional Council and chairs them. e.  closely collaborates with the regional manager. f.  the mandate of the Regional Organization Chairman terminates in the moment, when he is elected by the Republic Council a Chairman or a Vice-Chairman of the party. Until the ordinary elections of the new Chairman, a Vice-Chairman of the Regional Organization executes his position. 7.  Vice-Chairman of the Regional Organization: a.  in a period of a long-term absence or illness of the Chairman he also executes his position. b.  takes over the chairmanship when the position of the Chairman is vacant until ordinary elections. Article 12 REPUBLIC ASSEMBLY 1.  Republic Assembly is the highest body of the party. 2.  Assembly composition: a.  delegates with decisive vote are: Chairman and two Vice-Chairmen of the party, Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of the Regional Organizations, deputies and senators of the Parliament of the Czech Republic and members of the government who are party members, furthermore delegates of regions elected according to the article 11/4/e. b.  delegates with consultative vote: deputies and senators of the Parliament of the Czech Republic and members of the government of the Czech Republic who are not party members, but those who were on the list of candidates of the Path of Change or with its support , or were appointed to their positions based on a proposal of the Path of Change Path of Change, members of the Supervisory and Auditing Commission and Republic Committee of Appeal, spokesmen of the working groups, members of the Civic Council, Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of clubs according to article 19 of the statutes. c.  invited guests 3.  The Republic Council may decide that the delegates of the Republic Assembly will be all party members and at the same time it will decide whether they will be delegates with decisive or consultative votes. 4.  The Republic Assembly is summoned by the party Chairman at least once a year. 5.  The Chairman is also obliged to summon the Republic Assembly within one month from the moment of receiving such a request from the Republic Council, at least five Regional Councils or the Civic Council (in accordance with article 16/11). If the Chairman does not summon the Republic Assembly within one month from the moment of receiving a request, any member of the Republic Council will do so. 6.  The Republic Council decides about its date and place. It also takes care of sending out the invitations to the assembly at least two weeks in advance. 7.  Republic Assembly: a.  by a majority of all delegates with a decisive vote elects and withdraws Chairman, First and Second Vice-Chairmen of the party with the exception stated in article 27 item 2 of the statutes. b.  votes and withdraws members of the Republic Supervisory and Auditing Commission (1 member per region), c.  votes and withdraws members of the Committee of Appeal (1 member per region), d.  approves change of statutes by a four-fifths majority of all delegates with decisive votes, e.  approves the statutes of the controllers and of the Supervisory and Auditing Commission, f.  approves statutes of Committees of Appeal and the Committee for Candidates g.  approves the report presented by the Chairman, h.  approves the report of the Republic Council, i.  approves the director's report of the party, j.  approves the report of the Supervisory and Auditing Commission, k.  approves the rules for economic management of the party, l.  defines the membership fees; their amount and when due, and decides about the distribution of the collected financial means among the Regional Organizations and the Republic Council, m.  takes knowledge of the Committee of Appeal' s report, n.  takes knowledge of the activity reports of the clubs of the deputies and senators of the party, o.  may, during its session, interpellate the members of the party occupying important positions, p.  is authorized to accept internal regulations that are regulating the internal party matters, unless the statutes explicitly grant this right to some other body. Article 13 THE REPUBLIC COUNCIL 1.  The Republic Council is a statutory body of the party and its highest body in the period between the Republic Assemblies and is fully responsible for the party activities. 2.  Composition of the Republic Council: a.  with decisive votes: party Chairman and two Vice-Chairmen , Chairmen of the Regional Organizations, Chairmen of clubs of deputies and senators of the party and members of the government, who are party members, b.  with consultative votes: members of government that are not party members but were elected from the candidate list of the Path of Change or with its support , Chairman of the Republic Committee of Appeal and Chairman of the Supervisory and Auditing Commission , Chairmen of the clubs according to the article 19 of the statutes, c.  invited guests 3.  The party Chairman summons the Republic Council at least once every two months. 4.  Chairman is obliged to summon the Republic Council within 14 days if requested by one third of its members. He is also obliged to summon a joint assembly of the Republic Council and the Civic Council within 14 days if requested by the Civic Council. 5.  Republic Council: a.  is responsible for the party activities in the period between the Republic Assemblies. b.  approves the party budget. c.  approves the budget rules. d.  submits a report on the party activity and management to the Republic Assembly. e.  appoints and withdraws the main secretary and the main manager. f.  approves the obligatory application form for members and registered supporters. g.  constitutes the main office and approves its organization rules. h.  approves the rules of procedures and electoral regulations. i.  consults the ministers nominated by Path of Change. j.  is a body of appeal against the decision of the Republic Committee of Appeal k.  makes decisions on property an economic matters, unless the statutes state differently. l.  outlines the limits of competency and the scope of activities of the party general secretary and general manager. m.  constitutes its advisory bodies. n.  makes decisions in all other matters that are not assigned to other bodies. o.  the vote of the party Chairman is decisive in case of equality of votes. Article 14 PARTY CHAIRMAN 1.  Chairman is the main representative of the party, acts on its behalf and is authorized to make legal acts in the name of the party in accordance with article 10 item 4 of the statutes. 2.  The Chairman summons the Republic Assembly, the Republic Council, the joint meeting of the Republic Council and the Civic Council and chairs them. He coordinates the activity of the Republic Council, prepares the agenda of its sessions, and takes decisions in exigent matters in accordance with the resolutions of the Republic Council. He has other authorities that result from the statutes. 3.  The party Chairman is obliged to participate in the Civic Council sessions any time he is asked by the Council to do so. 4.  The position of the party Chairman is incompatible with the post of the president of the Czech Republic, Prime Minister or member of the government of the Czech Republic. On the day when the Chairman enters the position that is incompatible with the party chairmanship, his position of party Chairman expires. In the period when the party is not taking active part in the government of the Czech Republic, its Chairman is also the Chairman of its club of deputies. 5.  The incumbency of the Chairman is three years. Article 15 PARTY VICE-CHAIRMEN 1.  The Republic Assembly elects (in accordance with article 27 item 2 of the statutes) two Vice-Chairmen of the party; the First Vice-Chairman and the Second Vice-Chairman. 2.  The First Vice-Chairman of the party takes over the position of the Chairman in a period of his absence or if the Chairman cannot execute his powers. Furthermore he executes the powers granted to him by the Chairman or the Republic Council. 3.  The Second Vice-Chairman in case of need substitutes the Chairman or the First Vice-Chairman and manages the main party office. Furthermore he executes the powers granted to him by the Chairman or the Republic Council. 4.  The party Vice-Chairmen are obliged to participate in the Civic Council sessions any time they are asked by the Council to do so. 5.  The position of the party Vice-Chairman is incompatible with any constitutional position (including the position of a deputy or a senator) or a membership in the regional or municipal administration. 6.  The incumbency of the Vice-Chairman is three years. Article 16 CIVIC COUNCIL 1.  Is an independent advisory committee, which also participates in the nomination of the candidates for corporations and public positions. 2.  The Civic Council consists of: a.  members of the Plenum of Party Founders (according to article 27 item1 of the statutes), who show interest to work in the council and are not members of any political party or movement, and do not have any constitutional position, b.  other invited personalities of public life, who receive the votes of all Civic Council members. 3.  List of Civic Council members is administered in the party central register. 4.  Member of the Civic Council may not become a person, that was in the past a member or a candidate of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (KSC) or Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM) or a member of a party or a movement promoting violence or racial, national and social intolerance. 5.  The Civic Council has a quorum if at least half of its members is present, unless prescribed differently. 6.  The Civic Council may, with majority of their present votes, invite to its session for consultations other personalities and experts. 7.  The Civic Council appoints one of its members to chair its sessions for a period of one year. Following, another Civic Council member is appointed to chair. 8.  The Civic Council is summoned by the member who is in chair as needs be, at least six times a year. 9.  The Civic Council may invite the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the party to its session or initiate a joint session with the Republic Council. 10.  The Civic Council may oblige the party Chairman, based on a decision of a two-thirds majority of its members, to summon the Republic Assembly and there initiate the withdrawal of some party body for loss of credibility. In such a case the Chairman is obliged to summon the Republic Assembly within one month from the presentation of the request (further article 12/5). 11.  The Civic Council may propose candidates for party bodies to the Republic Assembly. Furthermore it may also propose candidates for corporations, legislative and executive positions. 12.  The Civic Council delegates maximum of 15 of its representatives into the Candidates Committee (article 17). 13.  Membership in the Civic Council is honorary and is not limited by time. 14.  Membership in the Civic Council expires on the day when the member of the Civic Council becomes a public figure, or member of some political party or movement. At the end of this mandate he may ask for re-admission to the Civic Council. Article 17 CANDIDATES COMMITTEE 1.  Is a body that handles the received proposals for candidates for elections into the regional corporations and for elections to the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic and the Senate of the Czech Republic. Is a body that based on these proposals nominates candidates into these elections and is authorized to set the list of candidates according to the generally binding legal regulations about elections to the Parliament of the Czech Republic and elections to the regional corporations. Furthermore it nominates candidates for executive positions that will be later promoted during political negotiations as party candidates. The committee also approves expression of political support to persons proposed by other parties who run for important positions. 2.  It is managed by statutes approved by the Republic Assembly. 3.  The Republic Council is obliged to inform the Civic Council at least two weeks in advance about the Candidates Committee session and its agenda. 4.  Members of the Candidates Committee are: a.  with decisive vote: members of the Republic Council (with decisive vote) and a maximum of 15 members of the Civic Council (according to article 16/12). b.  with consultative vote: members of government who are members of the party and the invited spokesmen of the specialized working. 5.  The Regional Organizations are asked by the committee to present their proposals for candidates. The formal requirements of the proposal are assigned by the Candidates Committee. 6.  The committee presents the nominations with regards to the necessity of ensuring sufficient presence of renowned, qualified and independent personalities of the public life. 7.  Each candidate is introduced in detail and a discussion about him follows. The vote is secret and for the approval of the candidate's nomination for regional corporations, for elections to the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic and the Senate of the Czech Republic as well as the approval of candidate's nomination for an executive position at least a two-thirds majority of votes of the present committee members is necessary. The committee must also approve by a two-thirds majority of votes of the present committee members the key for the order of the candidates on the list. 8.  The candidate that is being nominated for elections or some public position in the name of the party, on its list of candidates or with its support, will be prompted to present to the committee in a given time period: a.  professional and political C.V., b.  certificate issued based on provision of § 4 of the Act No. 451/1991 Coll., (the so called Lustration Act), and on the amendments on further acts, providing evidence that in the period between February 25, 1948 and November 17,1989 he was not a member of SNB (National Security Corps) with position in StB (the state police) nor was he registered in the StB records based on provision of § 2 article 1 index letter b) of the above mentioned Act (the so called negative lustration certificate). This requirement is obligatory for all applicants born in 1971 and earlier. c.  statutory declaration stating he had never been a member nor a candidate of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (KSC) or Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM) or a member of a party or a movement promoting violence or racial, national and social intolerance, d.  document proving that he has no arrears of taxes with the local fiscal authorities. Such a document must be issued by his respective revenue office and may not be older than two months. e.  criminal record statement not older than 2 months, f.  written commitment to follow the statutes and ethical code of the party, g.  declaration on word of honor about a will to work for and support the party goals. 9.  If the candidate for the purpose of the nomination provided false or flagrantly biased data, his further candidacy will be rejected by the committee. If he was already elected the Republic Council will decide about the next procedure (following a consultation with the Civic Council). 10.  The Candidates Committee may also chose the election leader of the party who may not necessarily be a party member. 11.  A member of the Candidates Committee may not participate in discussion and voting concerning his own nomination. Article 18 SPECIALIZED WORKING GROUPS 1.  The Specialized Working Groups are working groups defined by a working theme or an area of interest. They are related to the Republic Council and collaborate with the Regional Organizations. 2.  The Specialized Working Groups are created and also dissolved by the Republic Council who also appoints their spokesmen. 3.  Their activities are managed by their own statutes that are approved by the Republic Council. Article 19 CLUBS 1.  The Republic Council establishes Clubs as its advisory bodies, or as advisory bodies of the Regional Councils. 2.  Any irreproachable citizen of the Czech Republic who is obliged to follow the goals of the party and the ethical code of the Path of Change may participate in the activities of the clubs. 3.  Those interested in the club's activities may submit written application in the seat of the party. 4.  Those participating in the club's activities will elect its Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Club with an absolute majority of the present. 5.  The incumbency of the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman of the Club is one year. 6.  Only the Chairman and in his absence the Vice-Chairman are authorized to act in the name of the Club. 7.  Chairman of the Club summons and chairs the sessions of the Club. If the Club is not summoned at least once a year, the Republic Council can summon it. 8.  The Chairmen of the Clubs with a consultative vote may participate in the sessions of the Republic Council; if the Clubs were established as advisory bodies of the Regional Council their Chairmen are allowed to assist at the sessions of this Regional Council with a consultative vote. 9.  Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Clubs may participate in the Republic Assembly with a consultative vote; if the Clubs were established as advisory bodies of the Regional Council the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Clubs may participate in the Regional Assembly. Article 20 INCOMPATIBILITY OF POSITIONS 1.  The matter of incompatibility of the positions for Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the party is being dealt with in the article 14/4 and article 15/5 of the statutes. 2.  The position of a Chairman of the Regional Organization is not compatible with the mandate of a deputy or a senator, a member of government nominated by the party or a position of a regional marshal. Article 21 INTERNAL DIRECT DEMOCRACY OF THE PARTY 1.  The Republic Council may initiate internal direct vote with the use of Internet regarding a specific matter. For such a case it must lay out exact conditions under which the vote and its evaluation will take place. 2.  The Republic Council will decide whether this specific vote is only for party members or it is also open to the Registered Supporters. 3.  The vote is either decisive or consultative. The Republic Council decides about the type of the vote in advance. The result of the decisive vote is binding for the party and its bodies. The bodies of the party take account of the result of the consultative vote when making decisions. 4.  The evaluation of the vote is done in the party headquarters and the regular procedure of the vote is supervised by a committee of three Chairmen of Regional Organizations elected by vote. Article 22 GENERAL SECRETARY AND GENERAL MANAGER 1.  General Secretary and General Manager are employees of the party. They are appointed and withdrawn by the party Chairman with the consent of the Republic Council. 2.  The competency and the scope of activities of the party general secretary and general manager are determined by the organization rules of the main office, which are approved by the Republic Council (article 13/5/g of the statutes). Article 23 CLUBS OF DEPUTIES, SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES 1.  The Clubs associate Deputies, Senators and Representatives who were on the lists of candidates of the party or other Deputies, Senators and Representatives according to political agreements. 2.  The Clubs coordinate the work of Deputies, Senators and Representatives in order to pursue the party goals in the legislative bodies and corporations in the most effective way. 3.  They form its own structures in accordance with their organization regulations and rules of procedure. 4.  The Chairmen OF the Clubs of Deputies, Senators or Representatives represent their Clubs and act as its spokesmen. 5.  The chairmen of the Clubs must be members of the party. Article 24 SUPERVISORY AND AUDITING COMMISSION 1.  The Supervisory and Auditing Commission is a supervisory and auditing body of the party, which has control over the party economic management, abidance of the generally binding legal regulations, the party statutes and its ethical code. Has the authority to propose to the Republic Committee of Appeal a suspension of the decision of the Republic Council and the Regional Councils, the Chairman or the Vice-Chairman if they are in contradiction with the generally binding legal regulations, the party statutes or its ethical code. 2.  It is elected by the Republic Council with the following key applied: one member per region. 3.  Members of the Supervisory and Auditing Commission elect the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the commission among its members. 4.  They abide the statutes approved by the Republic Council. 5.  The role of The Supervisory and Auditing Commission on regional level is executed by a controller. The provisions of this article apply suitably to his activities. Article 25 COMMITTEES OF APPEAL 1.  Committees of Appeal are arbitral and conciliation bodies of the party that decides matters of internal party disputes between the members, bodies and organizational units. 2.  They are established on the level of republic and regions. 3.  They are elected by the Regional or Republic Assembly according to the following key: the Regional Assembly elects three members of the Regional Committee of Appeal. The Republic Council elects the Republic Committee of Appeal applying the following key: one member per region. 4.  Members of each committee elect the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the committee among its members. 5.  They abide the statutes approved by the Regional or the Republic Assembly. 6.  The Republic Committee of Appeal: a.  is a body of appeal against the verdict of the Regional Committee of Appeal, b.  takes a standpoint in case of unclear interpretation of the statutes. Such a standpoint is binding for the specific case, c.  asks the standpoints of the bodies and persons involved before coming to conclusions, d.  by its resolution it may suspend the validity of a decision of a party body which is in contradiction with the generally binding legal regulations, the party statutes or its ethical code. Such a body is then asked for a remedy and this does not happen the Republic Assembly makes a decision about the validity of such a decision. Article 26 PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT 1.  The party is liable for its obligations by all its assets. 2.  The Republic Council manages the party property in accordance with the approved budget and internal regulations. The Republic Council may authorize the Main Secretary to manage the party property within a limited framework. 3.  The yearly budget of the party and its changes during the year are approved by the Republic Council. The construction of the budget must always be as well balanced and with a surplus. 4.  The internal regulations for the party property management are approved by the Republic Assembly. 5.  The party income must correspond entirely to the provisions of the specific generally binding legal regulations. 6.  The Regional Organizations may manage the party property entirely in accordance with the internal regulations. 7.  The party manages the property and keeps its books consistent with the respective provisions of the generally binding legal regulations. 8.  The Republic Assembly decides about the use of the closing balance which would result from the liquidation of the assets and liabilities in case the party would be dissolved (not in the case corresponding to § 13, item 7 Act No. 424/1991 Coll. about association in political parties and in political movements, and the amendments on further acts). If the Republic Assembly does not adopt any decision regarding the property closing balance, such a closing balance resulting from the liquidation of the assets and liabilities of a dissolved party would be transferred to the state. Article 27 TEMPORARY AND CLOSING PROVISIONS 1.  The Preparatory Committee will summon the constitutional assembly of the party with the participation of the citizens that were active in founding the party. The commissioner of the party Preparatory Committee will prepare a final list of these citizens before the session of the constitutional assembly begins. The citizens on this list form the Plenum of the Founders. 2.  The constitutional assembly formed by the Plenum of the Founders approves by a simple majority of all present members the rules of procedures of the constitutional assembly, elects by a simple majority of all present members the party bodies: Chairman and the First and Second Vice-Chairmen. They assume their positions on the day of their election. Until the regular establishment of a statutory body of the party - the Republic Council - the statutory body of the party is its Chairman and both its Vice-Chairmen. Until the regular election of all other bodies listed in the statutes the power of the party bodies yet not established stays with the Preparatory Committee of the party with the exception of the Republic Council whose power is exercised by the party Chairman and both Vice-Chairmen. 3.  The Preparatory Committee of the Path of Change decided that in accordance with article 19 of the statutes these following clubs are established: Club of the Middle Class, Club 30, Club International Club of Ecologists. --- The statutes of the Path of Change were approved unanimously by all members of its Preparatory Committee. ---