Marek Benda

Marek Benda (born 10 November 1968) is a Czech politician and member of the Civic Democratic Party. He is currently the longest serving member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic.^[1] He is the son of Václav Benda.^[2]

Marek Benda MP
Leader of the Civic Democratic Party in the Chamber of Deputies
Incumbent
Assumed office 13 December 2021
Preceded by	Zbyněk Stanjura
In office 18 December 2012 – 28 August 2013
Preceded by	Zbyněk Stanjura
Succeeded by	Zbyněk Stanjura
Member of the Chamber of Deputies
Incumbent
Assumed office 20 July 2004
In office 6 December 1990 – 20 June 2002
Personal details
Born	(1968-11-10) 10 November 1968 (age 56) Prague, Czechoslovakia
Political party	ODS (since 1996) KDS (1990–1996)
Spouse	Markéta Bendová
Children	Johana Jonáš Apolena Amálie
Alma mater	University of West Bohemia
Website	http://www.marekbenda.cz/

Biography

Benda studied at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University from 1988 to 1990. He left the school during the Velvet Revolution as he was involved in politics. He later unsuccessfully studied at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague but failed due to his poor knowledge of foreign languages.^[3] Benda later studied law at the University of West Bohemia from 2003 to 2008. He reportedly passed a post-masters examination and earned a Doctor degree, but it was later revealed that his post-masters thesis was merely a work of plagiarism and he did not receive the degree.^[4][5]

Political career

Benda became a member of parliament in 1990. He co-founded the Christian Democratic Party (KDS). KDS was later merged with the Civic Democratic Party (ODS). Benda then became a member of ODS.^[6][7]