Final Word from Monday, January 15, 2007
There's a debate in the spy world - at least in the fictional one - about whether it's better to "turn" an uncooperative person by using blackmail or corruption. If Mirek Topolánek wins confirmation on Fri. by promising to help Miloš Zeman become president, the defectors who cross over will no doubt be rewarded. Jiří Paroubek, in turn, was using blackmail against these possible double agents by threatening to expel them from ČSSD. It was a standstill until Zeman declared that Paroubek shouldn't be reelected ČSSD chairman. By proposing Zdeněk Škromach as the replacement, he was blackmailing Paroubek into submission. Paroubek will now think twice before siding with Václav Klaus and Pavel Bém. As to Škromach, Zeman probably has no real desire to install him as ČSSD chair. Dumping Paroubek would only create a rift in ČSSD that hurts Zeman's presidential chances.[Czech Republic grand coalition ODS]