Václav Klaus is a Czech politician and economist who served as the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic from 1992 to 1997. He was also the country's president from 2003 to 2013. Klaus is known for his role in the economic transformation of the Czech Republic after the fall of communism, advocating for free-market reforms and privatization. Klaus co-founded the Civic Democratic Party and has been a prominent figure in Czech politics. He is recognized for his skepticism towards the European Union and climate change policies, often expressing views that challenge mainstream perspectives on these issues.