Topol on steroids

Even if Miloš Zeman was behind the aborted attempt last week to create a ČSSD- KDU minority government, Jiří Paroubek is the one paying the price publicly. ODS has declared Paroubek persona non grata and will apparently do all it can to discredit him, including using interior-ministry files. Premier Mirek Topolánek and President Václav Klaus suddenly have a common interest in disposing of Paroubek, because he tried to burn them both last week. A steroidized Topolánek is now calling for early elections but admitted in LN that they are very difficult to bring about. Klaus and Topolánek are apparently betting that ČSSD would rather sacrifice Paroubek than risk having its dirty little secrets aired before early elections. If ČSSD gives up Paroubek, Topolánek can declare that early elections aren't workable and that a deal with ČSSD, without Paroubek, is the only viable option. [Czech Republic Lidové noviny KDU-ČSL Christian Democrats]