Coalition of last resort

When Mirek Topolánek tells HN that Jiří Paroubek is the biggest problem in post- 1989 politics, it must be music to Václav Klaus's ears. As long as Topolánek and Paroubek remain at each other's throats, Klaus is assured of reelection. But what if it's a smokescreen? What if Topolánek and Paroubek plan to join forces against their common enemy, Klaus? Topolánek might have no choice, despite the huge risks. Analyst Jiří Pehe predicts that as soon as Klaus is reelected, he intends to get rid of Topolánek anyway. A grand coalition with ČSSD or a minority ODS cabinet backed by ČSSD would kill three birds with one stone: Klaus would be the one dethroned, the radar would pass, and Paroubek would get a post that sufficiently strokes his ego. Alexandr Vondra told FAZ that Paroubek was apparently open to the radar earlier this year because he saw himself as foreign minister in a grand coalition. [Czech Republic Hospodářské noviny Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung]