Final Word from Monday, May 22, 2006
ČSSD Chair Jiří Paroubek and ODS Chair Mirek Topolánek had their first of four TV duels yesterday, but it was a pitiful sight not worth repeating. Topolánek capped off 50 minutes of insults and lack of substance by refusing to shake Paroubek's hand. Far more entertaining than the TV duel was the fistfight the night before between Miroslav Macek of ODS and David Rath of ČSSD. Macek said he boxed Rath's ear as a way to defend his wife's honor against an insult by Rath, but it was actually Macek whom Rath had insulted. He said Macek is a womanizer who married for the love of money. Václav Havel probably didn't have Paroubek, Topolánek, Rath or Macek foremost in mind when he said that Czech politics needs fresh wind, but he could have. Václav Klaus, the main target of Havel's sharp tongue, looks positively majestic next to these four court jesters.[Czech Republic June elections television TV Prima debate]