Velvet Divorce

The "Velvet Divorce" is a term used to describe the dissolution of the former country of Czechoslovakia into the nations of Slovakia and the Czech Republic, effective January 1, 1993. The term is used to liken this event to the Velvet Revolution of 1989 which led to the end of the rule of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and the formation of a new, non-Communist government.

In terms of public opinion, many Slovaks and Czechs wished a continued existence of a federal Czechoslovakia. A slight majority of Slovaks, however, advocated a looser form of co-existence or complete independence and sovereignty. In November 1992, when the division had been decided already, 49% of Slovaks and 50% Czechs were against the division, while 40% Slovaks agreed with it. In the same poll, 49% of Slovaks and 41% of Czechs advocated a referendum on the division, which however never took place.

In terms of economy, the Czech Republic was the territory with a higher GDP level (some 20%), but a lower GDP growth in the long run, while the opposite applied to Slovakia. Money transfers from the Czech budget to Slovakia, which had been the rule in the past, were stopped in January 1991.

The future of the country, however, was decided by politicians. The Czech politicians elected in the 1992 elections (Václav Klaus) demanded an even tighter federation ("viable federation") than was the case until then or alternatively two independent states, while the Slovak leading politicians of 1992 (Vladimír Mečiar) wanted to achieve a kind of confederation. These two concepts were irreconcilable. Probably influenced by the Declaration of independence of the Slovak nation adopted by the Slovak parliament on July 17, 1992, the frequent and intense negotiations between Czech and Slovak politicians held since June ended by a decision on July 23 in Bratislava to dissolve Czechoslovakia. Further negotiations were conducted with the goal of a peaceful division. On November 25, the federal parliament adopted the "Constitutional law on the end of existence of Czechoslovakia", which stated that "with the expiry of December 31, 1992, the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic shall cease to exist" and provided for the necessary technical details.

The separation occurred without violence, and was thus said to be "velvet", much like the Velvet revolution which proceeded it, which was accomplished through massive peaceful demonstrations and actions and very little violence.

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