Antonín Baudyš (9 September 1946 – 24 August 2010) was a Czech academic and politician who served as defense minister from 1993 to 1994. He was the first defense minister of the Czech Republic.[1]
Antonín Baudyš | |
|---|---|
 A. Baudys in 2010 | |
| Minister of Defense | |
| In office January 1993 – 22 September 1994 | |
| Prime Minister | Václav Klaus |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Vilem Holan |
| Deputy Prime Minister | |
| In office 1989 – July 1992 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 September 1946 Prague |
| Died | 24 August 2010 (aged 63) |
| Nationality | Czech |
| Political party | Czechoslovak People's Party Christian Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party |
| Alma mater | Czech Technical University |
Early life and education
Baudyš was born in Prague on 9 September 1946.[2][3] He studied mechanical engineering[1] and graduated from the Czech Technical University (CVUT).[3]
Career
Baudyš worked as a university professor at his alma mater, CVUT, until 1989.[1][3] He became a member of the Czechoslovak People's Party (CSL) in 1970.[3] He was named deputy prime minister in 1989 shortly after the fall of communist regime and held the post until July 1992.[3] He was appointed defense minister to the coalition cabinet led by Prime Minister Václav Klaus in January 1993.[4] The ministry was formed with his appointment.[5] He was a member of the Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU-CSL).[6] On 22 September 1994, Vilém Holáň of KDU-CSL replaced Baudyš in the post.[7]
Following his removal from office, he worked as a businessman[8] and a popular astrologist.[3]
Activities
One of his first activities as defense minister was to initiate the cleansing of the society from hard-liner communists and informers.[1] He stated his aim as defense minister to transform the ministry into "an integrated civilian-military institution".[9] During his tenure Baudyš was informed that the Czech army had had pathogens.[10] He ordered the destruction of them due to the fact that they were no longer necessary.[10]
Personal life and death
Baudyš married twice. He had two sons from his first marriage.[3] In May 2010, he divorced his first wife and married a woman who was 23 years younger than him.[3]
He died at age 63 on 24 August 2010.[3]
References
External links
