Final Word from Monday, October 25, 2010
The Greens-SNK are angry that they won 5.9% of the vote in the Prague local elections but were denied any seats in the city assembly, because of the way ODS gerrymandered the districts. The Greens will now turn to the Supreme Administrative Court and Constitutional Court to ask that the elections be voided, on the grounds that the 5% min. hurdle for winning representation was violated. A good outcome for those not enamoured by an ODS-ČSSD grand coalition in Prague would be if the Greens waited to file their lawsuit until after ODS and ČSSD sealed their deal. Just as the Prague bosses were settling into their old ways again, the courts could require that the Prague elections be repeated. Then, people angered by the grand coalition could give TOP 09 and the Greens enough votes to form a city government. Admittedly, it's probably more wishful thinking that realistic political analysis.[Czech Republic municipal]
Glossary of difficult words
to gerrymander - to manipulate the boundaries of an electoral constituency so as to favor one party or class;
to void - to declare that something is not valid or legally binding; to annul;
hurdle - a barrier, bar; a minimum required amount;
to be enamoured - to have a liking or admiration for.