Karol Šmidke

Karol Šmidke (21 January 1897 – 15 December 1952) was a Slovak communist politician, member of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia.[1]

Karol Šmidke
Speaker of the Slovak National Council
In office 14 September 1945 – 14 July 1950 Serving with Jozef Lettrich (14 September 1945 – 26 February 1948)
Preceded by	Jozef Lettrich
Succeeded by	František Kubač
In office 5 September 1944 – 23 October 1944 Serving with Vavro Šrobár
Preceded by	Vavro Šrobár Gustáv Husák Ján Ursíny
Succeeded by	Vavro Šrobár Gustáv Husák Ján Ursíny
Personal details
Born	(1897-01-21)21 January 1897 Witkowitz, Austria-Hungary (now Vítkovice, Czech Republic)
Died	15 December 1952(1952-12-15) (aged 55) Czechoslovak Socialist Republic
Political party	Communist Party of Czechoslovakia

Smidke was Co-President of the Presidium of the Slovak National Council (with Vavro Srobar) 5 September - c. 23 October 1944, Co-Speaker of the Slovak National Council (with Jozef Lettrich) 14 September 1945 - 26 February 1948, Acting Speaker from 26 February to 12 March 1948 and Speaker 12 March 1948 - 14 July 1950. He was also the first President of the Board of Commissioners from 18 September 1945 until 14 August 1946, when he was succeeded by Gustáv Husák.[2]