Jan Šrámek (11 August 1870 – 22 April 1956)[1] was the prime minister of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile from 21 July 1940 to 5 April 1945. He was the first chairman of the Czechoslovak People's Party[2] and was a Monsignor in the Catholic church.[3]
Jan Šrámek
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| Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia in exile | |
| In office 21 July 1940 – 5 April 1945 | |
| President | Edvard Beneš |
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| Born | (1870-08-11)11 August 1870 Grygov, Austria-Hungary |
| Died | 22 April 1956(1956-04-22) (aged 85) Prague, Czechoslovakia |
| Political party | Czechoslovak People's Party |
| Alma mater | Palacký University, Olomouc |
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From 1945 on Czechoslovakia was ruled by the Communist-dominated National Front which also included Šrámek's People's Party. Šrámek and the rest of his coalition worried about the increasing role of the Communist Party. In 1947, the popular support for the Communists started to diminish. To consolidate power, the Communists carried out a coup in February 1948. Šrámek had to resign as the chairman of the People's Party. His successor, Rostislav Petr, and Josef Plojhar, a "strong man" in the People's Party, were fellow travelers who supported unconditional collaboration with the Communists.