Karol Šmidke  Karol Šmidke (January 21, 1897, Vítkovice (Ostrava), Austria-Hungary – December 15, 1952, Czechoslovakia) was a Slovak politician, member of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. Smidke was Co-President of the Presidium of the Slovak National Council (with Vavro Srobar) 5 September - ? 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.