Grand coalitions

The Czech economy is inextricably linked to the German one, but does this cross over into politics too? The German elections are just over six weeks away, and there is increasing talk about a grand coalition of the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democrats (SPD). It might not be possible after the elections for CDU and its favored partner, the Free Democrats (FDP), to form a center-right coalition. In the CR, ODS and KDU- ČSL could have the same problem next June. There are rumors, though, that ODS and ČSSD are already so tired of KDU's machinations that they've quietly entered into preliminary coalition talks. If it's true, a grand coalition in Germany could give them momentum. Like in Germany, there could be casualties. Gerhard Schröder probably wouldn't be part of a CDU-SPD grand coalition, and the same could apply in the CR to ODS Chair Mirek Topolánek, especially if it's ČSSD that ends up on top in the elections. [Czech Republic Schroeder]