Final Word from Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Honestly, we're not making this up. Jiří Paroubek refused yesterday to meet with Mirek Topolánek at the designated PM's temporary office and said Topolánek should come to him. Paroubek later agreed to visit Topolánek, but only if they met alone. Topolánek objected to a one-on-one meeting. Paroubek then agreed to meet but wants them to take turns visiting each other. Given such behavior, how can Václav Klaus, in good conscience, give Paroubek the second chance to form a government if Topolánek fails? If the goal is to find a workable solution, Klaus might have to fall back on Václav Havel's tactic from 1997 and appoint the KDU chair, now Miroslav Kalousek, as the next official negotiator. Like Josef Lux in 1997, Kalousek would not have to be named PM. It's true that Kalousek has many enemies, but if anyone can strike a deal given all the interests at stake, he can.[Czech Republic KDU-ČSL premier prime minister]