Paroubek asks Zeman for support

In an effort to further capitalize on his party’s victory, Jiří Paroubek on Sunday extended an olive branch to his predecessor at the head of the party, Miloš Zeman, urging him to return to the Social Democrats and persuade two Social Democrat defectors –Miloš Melčák and Michal Pohanka – to help bring down the government. Mr. Zeman, who recently showed an interest in returning to high politics, refused to comment on the matter saying he had not been officially contacted by anyone from the Social Democratic Party. He and Mr. Paroubek have long been arch rivals and the founding father of the Social Democrats, Mr. Zeman is believed to have retained a strong influence on some party members.