czechoslovakia had free elections in 1990. havel won and continued to be president. havel wanted to keep the federation of the czechs and the slovaks together during the breakup of czechoslovakia. he supported keeping the country together even though this was difficult and there was a lot of pressure. on 3 july 1992 the federal parliament did not elect havel — the only candidate — because slovak mps did not support him. havel resigned as president on 20 july after the slovaks issued their declaration of independence. he stood for election as president of the new czech republic in 1993. he won and became president of this new, separate country.