Final Word from Thursday, January 13, 2005
ČSSD is entering dangerous territory. It's the high-tax party but is trying now to take away ODS's main election topic by selling low-taxes to its disillusioned center-left voters. If the media were more on ČSSD's side, it might get away with it. But the newspapers are wise to ČSSD's tricks. After Finance Minister Bohuslav Sobotka promised that last year's income-tax changes would be revenue-neutral, MFD pointed out that the budget actually calls for a Kč 50bn tax increase this year. ČSSD is now talking about lowering taxes, and all the newspapers are questioning how it will fulfill its existing spending obligations. Internal party opposition is already building, LN said. ČSSD runs the risk that its tax ideas will backfire and that the media will send a subtle message to voters: Why choose a pseudo low-tax party when ODS offers the real thing? [Czech Republic Social Democrats Lidové noviny MF Dnes]