Tyrants destroyed

The worst aspect of the Gross government was the arrogance with which it went about its business. It reached the point where it no longer cared what people thought. It took its lead from Stanislav Gross himself, a person who was hopelessly unqualified for his job but who wheeled and dealed his way to the top. ODS and its chairman, Mirek Topolánek, might be more qualified to rule, but the political crisis has risked turning ODS into the same kind of arrogant, out-of-control political tyrant. Yesterday's coalition agreement is a defeat for Gross and for all those who were hoping to profit handsomely from the crisis - esp. Topolánek, Kalousek, Klaus and Grebeníček - but it's a victory for the voters, even for those who favor an ODS cabinet. ODS will now have to earn its election victory in a fair battle on a level playing field. That's what democracy is all about. [Czech Republic Miroslav Václav KDU-ČSL Communist Party KSČM]