What's Klaus' angle?
There has long been speculation that Václav Klaus
doesn't really care about ODS and is only interested in
himself. However, his decision yesterday not to run
again for ODS chairman could suggest otherwise.
Some political analysts think he was concerned that the
fight for the chair would divide ODS and hurt it in the
upcoming elections. In this light, his decision seems
magnanimous towards ODS. Another possibility,
though, is that he's signaling ODS's unwillingness to
strike a deal in the presidential elections. Under certain
circumstances, the vote in Parliament could be an utter
failure if ODS or Milo Zeman's supporters decide not
to play along. ODS has suddenly started talking again
about direct presidential elections, no doubt because
Klaus' best hope to become president is to force a
direct vote. The same applies for Zeman.
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