Give P. a chance

Jiří Paroubek told F1 radio that he assumes Václav Klaus will ask him to sound out the political situation before he actually appoints him as premier. This could be the solution everyone is seeking. If Klaus overlooks Paroubek, he'll anger much of ČSSD and KSČM. If he appoints Paroubek as PM, he'll anger ODS. But if Klaus simply gives Paroubek an informal chance to show his stuff (as he did initially with Mirek Topolánek), it will be easy to explain. Of course, if Klaus wants to, he can encourage Paroubek to save his political career by agreeing to some form of grand coalition. It's not inconceivable that Mirek Topolánek will decide, too, that this is his only way to survive. If, instead, Paroubek pulls out that elusive 101st vote, Klaus can always find a reason to reject any effort to form a cabinet backed by Communists. In short, Klaus has nothing to lose by giving Paroubek a chance. [Czech Republic Communist Party prime minister]