The enemy within

When we say we think Václav Klaus has a 70% chance of winning reelection, it actually leaves quite a bit of room for doubt. The media are filled with reports about how these or those Christian Democrats or Communists might vote, but the real battle is within ODS. If ODS's lawmakers stick together (and the right amount of grease is applied), the rest of the votes will slide into place. But it's a rather big "if." ODS is more divided than insiders will openly admit. This week's "Reportéři" on Czech TV, like an earlier report last Aug., had all the signs of an internal ODS hatchet job. Both reports linked Mirek Topolánek to conflicts of interest involving his aide Marek Dalík and reflect very badly on Topolánek. With three weeks to go until the elections, this reinforces our view that the best (and perhaps only) way for Klaus to assure his reelection is to ditch Pavel Bém and cut a deal with Topolánek. [Czech Republic Television KDU-ČSL KSČM presidential Sodexho Pass meal tickets vouchers]