Kingmaker dethroned

KDU-ČSL Chair Miroslav Kalousek has survived a housing scandal, various defense-ministry purchasing scandals and the e-toll scandal, all of which had the name of his buddy Richard Háva written all over them. Ironically, the one "scandal" where Háva plays no role is the one that threatens to do the most permanent damage. According to two polls, KDU risks losing its seats in Parliament and being replaced by the Greens. How scandalous, Kalousek must think, that Martin Bursík of the Greens is stealing so much of his glory. Even if KDU makes it into Parliament - which we still think is likely - KDU will probably lose its coveted position of kingmaker. Kalousek still holds a trump card against Bursík, though, and that is his relationship to Václav Klaus. For both Klaus and Kalousek, the best outcome of the June elections might be an ODS-ČSSD-KDU broad coalition. [Czech Republic grand Christian Democrats Party]