Final Word from Monday, October 30, 2006
Václav Klaus has been trying to maneuver Pavel Bém into the position of ODS chair, but it just hasn't worked out. Before the elections, Klaus compared the political situation to a Rubik's cube and told Czech Radio that he expects the political parties to come up with a solution before he appoints the next PM. But before the parties even had time to sit down behind closed doors, a Klaus aide, Ladislav Jakl, said he thinks the president will instead appoint someone from ODS to lead political talks. And choosing Mirek Topolánek again, Jakl said, would be like crossing the same river twice. Comic Jan Kraus said 10 days ago on F1 radio that Klaus isn't capable of solving a Rubik's cube. It seemed like a needlessly ugly statement then, but it's looking increasingly true. Klaus's unsolvable cube, it seems, has Bém's face on all six sides. The irony is that if Klaus pushes Bém too hard, he might ruin - and not help - his own reelection chances.[Czech Republic Frekvence jedna presidential prime minister premier]