Undoing the Green revolution

Jiří Paroubek has done more than anyone to legitimize the Greens as a force in the June elections. Not only did he make room for a new protest party by his lack of consistent policies, but he also elevated the Greens to contender status by accepting the early poll results that put them above the 5% threshold. Over the weekend, he finally challenged these poll results and cast doubt on the ability of the Greens to make it into Parliament. At the same time, though, he softened the blow by saying he could imagine forming a coalition with them. Meanwhile, Green Chair Martin Bursík went on TV in a hideous phosphorescent green tie, barely concealed his pent-up anger behind that calm facade, and told Czechs they should stop heating with coal. If Paroubek wants the Greens to lose the legitimacy he has bestowed upon them, his best option is to keep quiet and let Bursík do the talking. [Czech Republic TV Nova]