Current Affairs Social Democrats' integrity weakened by former party leader
Developments on the Czech political scene - which has been pretty much deadlocked since the inconclusive general elections in June - have taken an unexpected turn. The ruling Civic Democrats, who have not yet won a confidence vote in Parliament, appear to have found a hole in their opponent's defenses. And surprisingly the man who may help them break the deadlock by dividing the opposition Social Democrats is no longer - at least officially - active in politics.
Milos Zeman
Milos Zeman, the former Social Democrat prime minister who brought the
Social Democrats to power in 1998 retired from politics three years ago to
live the life of a pensioner in the Moravian Highlands. However he still
has staunch allies within the party and enough influence to cause trouble
for his successors. His meddling from the Highlands assisted the downfall
of two of his successors Vladimir Spidla and Stanislav Gross, both of whom
he first favored and then condemned. Now history may be about to repeat
itself.
Vlastimil Tlusty, photo: CTK
In the past few days Milos Zeman received unexpected visitors: the Civic
Democrat Finance Minister Vlastimil Tlusty and the former Christian
Democrat leader Miroslav Kalousek. The official version was that the talks
focused on next year's budget. But few people believe that -least of all
Social Democrat leader Jiri Paroubek, who is clearly unnerved by these
developments. He fears that his policy of no-tolerance towards the
minority Civic Democrat cabinet may be undermined by Zeman's allies within
the party, or that this might be an effort to oust him as party leader on
the grounds that others would be more constructive in talks.
Civic Democrat PM Mirek Topolanek on Thursday confirmed his worst fears
when he told the media that with Milos Zeman an agreement would be
possible -"since unlike Paroubek, Zeman was statesman enough to put
the interests of the state above those of his own party".
Jiri Paroubek, photo: CTK
Mr. Paroubek sent an angry message to the highlands reminding his former
ally that he was merely a pensioner and should behave like a rank and file
party member. He then hastened to reassure himself about his own position
within the party - asking regional leaders to reiterate support for his
no-tolerance policy towards the Civic Democrats. The vote is said to have
gone in his favor but the seed of uncertainty has been planted. The Civic
Democrats have found their Trojan Horse and if they play their cards well
the "pensioner from the highlands" could make life very
difficult indeed for the man who still hopes to become prime minister.
