The race is on

Václav Klaus enjoyed a flurry of good news as he took off to the U.S. for a round of ego-gratifying meetings but was unprepared for the cold storm that hit him upon his return. ČSSD Chair Jiří Paroubek launched an emotional cross-party search for the anti- Klaus presidential candidate, and Klaus handled the attack rather badly. He seems to be offended that anyone would even think of replacing him. Leading the charge is not only Paroubek, who still hasn't forgiven Klaus-Bém for failing to deliver a grand coalition, but also Václav Havel. He suggested with geriatric puerility that he might even run again if it irritated Klaus enough. He dug the knife deeper by saying a woman should perhaps be elected. Any woman would do, he seemed to suggest. Parliament elects the president, and past votes were mostly closed-door affairs. It's clear with 10 months to go that it will be different this time. [Czech Republic Pavel Bém ODS]