Under pressure

ODS members who are working hard to topple Mirek Topolánek should study Václav Moravec's debate show from Dec. 3 (www.ceskatelevize.cz/vysilani/). Throughout the hour, ex- Finance Minister Bohuslav Sobotka was the model of serenity. In sharp contrast, Prague Mayor Pavel Bém was on the verge of exploding, and it wasn't because the questions were hard. It was his pent-up anger and frustration. Topolánek is the one facing criticism for his short temper, but kicking a paparazzo's car is in a completely different league from what Bém is capable of. Imagine how he might react if details started coming out about what has been transpiring at city hall. The meltdown could be comparable to the election-night diatribe that nearly ended Jiří Paroubek's career. Topolánek is far from perfect, but those trying to get rid of him don't have their party's best interests in mind. [Czech Republic Czech Television Otázky Václava Moravce]