Bem in, Klaus out

Pavel Bém of ODS struck a deal yesterday with ČSSD for forming a coalition at Prague city hall and will likely use the mayor's position to ascend to the ODS chairmanship next month. Bém, as Prague mayor, will become ODS's most-senior non-parliamentary public official. Václav Klaus is no more than a regular MP. Skeptics from all sides have raised doubts in recent weeks about whether Klaus actually intends to step down as ODS chair next month. But if he's serious about running for president, he has little choice. Only by letting go of ODS and creating an image of nonpartisanship would he have any chance of winning, whether in direct or indirect elections. If Klaus decides not to turn the reins over to Bém in mid-Dec., it will be a sign that he isn't serious about the presidency and instead plans to support Miloš Zeman for the position.