On January 6, 1968, the Czechoslovak public found out what the previous day had resulted in. As there had existed some problems within the leadership of the CPCz for some time it was decided on the meeting on January 5, 1968, that Alexander Dubcek would replace Antonin Novotny as first secretary of the CPCz CC. Many had been proposed for the function but the Czechs and the Slovaks could not agree upon any of them. As Dubcek remained the only candidate who both sides considered workable, both Czechs and Slovaks voted for him. Novotny did not dare to oppose.

Alexander Dubcek, the 46-year-old now former head of the Slovak Communist Party, did not want to accept the function of first party secretary. He was pushed into it by his party comrades who promised him all the support he would need. Follow this link to the Resolution of the CPCz CC Plenum, January 5, 1968, Electing Alexander Dubcek as First Secretary.

Antonin Novotny would only remain on the post of president, loosing his position as supreme commander of the army, chairman of the Central Committee of the National Front of the CSSR and first party secretary of the CPCz.

These developments disturbed the Soviet leadership who wanted and strived for a reinforcement of the Czechoslovak party. The division of the party top posts would only weaken the party. In addition, there was a certain fear of a change in the Czechoslovak foreign policy. This would generate a desire for similar changes and reforms in the other Eastern Bloc countries. These concerns led to an unofficial visit by Brezhnev, Podgorny and Kosygin to Poland on the 12 January and to GDR on the 15 January. Resulting from these meetings, Brezhnev invited Dubcek to Moscow.