Communists forever

ODS Chair Mirek Topolánek told Czech Radio that ČSSD is so adamantly working toward its own self-destruction that the Communists will likely become the dominant political force on the left, although under a new name. He said he's not thrilled about this, because he'd rather have the Social Democrats as his chief rival. What seems more likely, however, is that ODS's very plan is to bring about a de facto two-party system of ODS and the "reformed" Communists. ODS's refusal to work with Stanislav Gross on resolving the political crisis is part of it. So was Václav Klaus's sudden attack on ČSSD on March 4. Klaus has apparently decided that he doesn't need ČSSD to get reelected, because ODS and the Communists will do it. Klaus and ODS, with a lot of unintentional help from Gross, are preparing a permanent place for the Communists in Czech politics. [Czech Republic]