Final Word from Monday, July 25, 2005
Václav Klaus and Jiří Paroubek agreed that the passing yesterday of Culture Minister Pavel Dostál was a big loss, but otherwise they haven't agreed recently on anything. Klaus made the global press by declaring that Paroubek must have lost his mind for wanting to make a gesture toward anti-Fascist Germans from WWII. They also disagreed on the EU's future and on immigration. The headlines give the impression that the Klaus-Paroubek relationship is the kind of contemptuous rivalry that made it impossible for Klaus and Vladimír Špidla to work together. But what if it's all a show? There are a few signs that the Klaus-Paroubek relationship is in fact more like the Klaus-Zeman one, built on mutual respect and shared rules of the game. If so, this could have huge consequences for the pre- and post-election periods. ODS, and Mirek Topolánek in particular, should be worried.[Czech Republic president prime minister premier chairman Miloš European Union 2006 June World War Second Two Czechoslovakia Germany Austria Sudeten]