Premier Klaus

Several skeptical readers asked us to explain how Václav Klaus could possibly become the next prime minister. It would depend on the ability of Klaus and Miloš Zeman to continue to dominate their parties. If Zeman got Klaus' support to become president, he could, in return, oust Premier Vladimír Špidla and install Klaus in the position, without new elections. With Zeman as president, the current cabinet coalition would likely fall apart quickly. The next government could be an ODS-ČSSD grand coalition or an ODS minority cabinet. This would again allow ODS and ČSSD to divide up major positions of power and would be a step toward the Zeman-Klaus goal of instituting a two-party electoral system. The pieces are already beginning to fall into place: MP Vlastimil Tlustý acknowledged yesterday that ODS might back Zeman for president.