ODS "fights" bureaucracy

ODS promised in its campaign to "blow a hole in Czech bureaucracy," yet it's missing its first post-election chance to prove it meant this seriously. ODS is battling to get two of the six vice chairmanships in Parliament, and so far it's gotten one of them. The last Parliament had just three vice chairs, and TV Nova pointed out that it'll cost millions of crowns in taxpayer money to add the extra posts. The seats bring benefits and prestige, but little actual power or influence, so it looks as though ODS is fighting so hard because it wants the benefits. Ex-ODS Vice Chair Miroslav Macek said ODS would get more mileage out of demonstratively turning down the posts. ODS's behavior seems short-sighted, especially given that the campaigns for Senate and municipal elections - and what about early parliamentary elections? - are right around the corner.