Snake on a plane

Perhaps Mirek Topolánek's government - to be sworn in today - won't actually be the shortest in Czech history. Much depends on whether Václav Klaus sides with ODS in depicting Jiří Paroubek as a Josef Lux-like snake who can't be trusted. Topolánek's cabinet probably won't win confirmation 30 days from today, but it could remain in power for an indefinite period if Klaus declared that he sees no chance for any other configuration to win approval and that immediate elections would be disruptive. As Topolánek settled in and began privatizing companies (starting with Aero), ČSSD would come under pressure to either tame its snake or put it on a plane. Once done, Topolánek could reshuffle his cabinet to ČSSD's liking, seek confirmation again, and then lead a "quasi-political" cabinet into early elections. But not, of course, until after Klaus was reelected in early 2008. [Czech Republic Snakes Aero Vodochody KDU-ČSL Christian Democrats Social Democrats]