Final Word from Monday, October 21, 2002
If ODS were serious about getting Václav Klaus elected president in a vote by the people, it would perhaps have a chance of doing so. Recent events suggest, though, that the party's resolve isn't very strong. First, ODS's usual united front came apart when the top leadership voted abruptly to support direct presidential elections. Some members down below felt the party was hurting its own credibility by changing its mind and said so publicly. Second, ODS is allowing Miloš Zeman to dictate the terms of the elections. He's outsmarting both Klaus and Vladimír Špidla. Third, some commentators have questioned Klaus' commitment. Neither Klaus nor ODS seems to know what they want. Even if ODS decides to put its full weight behind Klaus, there's of course no guarantee that he'll be elected. But if it doesn't, there's a guarantee he won't be.