Prison break

Like a prisoner with nothing but time on his hands, ODS used its eight years in the opposition to plan an elaborate breakout. The way it has consolidated its control over ministries, state companies, privatization, the police, the judiciary and the press is remarkable and makes post-Zeman ČSSD look like a band of amateurs. ODS's biggest feat has been to turn ČSSD's own steps against it - the budget deficit, the shenanigans in the Kubice report, the Doležel fraud, the Aero sale, etc. - without seeing much of a backlash. What good is this, you might ask, if the guards were waiting on the other side of the wall to turn ODS back? The cabinet did, after all, have to resign yesterday. True, but ODS's negotiating position has grown considerably. Like in "Shawshank Redemption," ČSSD has been so outmaneuvered that someone will have to pay with his life. Jiří Paroubek is holding the short straw. [Czech Republic Zdeněk Doležel Aero Vodochody Penta Oakfield Jan Kubice]