Gross's triple trap
Has Stanislav Gross fallen into a triple trap set
independently by Vladimír Špidla, Miloš Zeman and
Václav Klaus? Trap No. 1: By walking away as premier,
Špidla forced Gross into a job he didn't necessarily
want. Špidla can now claim sweet revenge if Gross
goes down too. Trap No. 2: As Týden noted, the
Zemanites who were prodding Gross along are now
withdrawing their support. Trap No. 3: Klaus reportedly
agreed in advance with Gross on the formation of the
next cabinet but is now doubting Gross's ability to get
the votes. A Gross disaster would help ODS and, as
Jan Machá-ček of HN said, serve to eliminate a rival to
Klaus for popularity. Political analyst Petr Nováček of
Czech Radio said he can't imagine that Gross would
get himself into such a situation unless he knew in
advance how to get out. Euro noted, though, that Gross
shined while he stood beside Zeman and Špidla but
isn't their match when he's on his own.
|