The Third Czechoslovak Republic, lasting from April 1945 to February 1948, represented a brief period of rebuilding and coalition government in Czechoslovakia after World War II. Under President Edvard Beneš, the government was re-established with pre-war borders, though with the Soviet Union’s insistence on annexing Carpathian Ruthenia. In April 1945, the new National Front government was formed under the Košice Programme, excluding conservative parties and giving substantial representation to the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (KSČ) led by Klement Gottwald. Initially, the coalition appeared democratic, with a mix of socialist and moderate parties.
Throughout 1946, the KSČ grew in influence, aided by widespread public support for the Soviet Union as the wartime liberator of Czechoslovakia. In the May elections, the Communists gained the most votes in Czech regions, though the Slovak Democratic Party won in Slovakia. This allowed the Communists to gain control of key ministries, especially those handling the police and security forces, which would later facilitate their consolidation of power.
Tensions rose in 1947 after the Czechoslovak government showed interest in joining the Marshall Plan, a move opposed by Moscow. KSČ leaders reversed course, under Soviet pressure, and launched propaganda campaigns warning of a "reactionary threat." In January 1948, the Communist Party began replacing non-Communists within the police forces, further straining the coalition. A political crisis erupted when non-Communist ministers resigned, expecting Beneš to reject their resignations and hold new elections. Instead, Beneš ultimately acceded to Gottwald’s demands for a new, Communist-led government, fearing potential Soviet intervention. This marked the Communist Party’s seizure of power in February 1948, effectively ending the Third Republic and ushering in a period of Communist rule that would dominate Czechoslovakia’s political landscape for the next four decades.