News: The Prague Post Online

Elections could set tone for 2002
November ballot seen as crucial test for Zeman, Klaus

By Brian Hannon

The two parties that govern the Czech Republic in a nervous power-sharing pact are running neck and neck in the final lap before November's vital regional and Senate elections.

The Nov. 12 vote for the leadership of 13 regional districts, as well as for the Senate, is seen by many as an early tip-sheet for the national parliamentary tally set for 2002.

A recent poll by the Prague-based Sofres-Factum agency showed the ruling Social Democrats (CSSD) marginally ahead of their "opposition agreement" partners, the Civic Democrats (ODS) of former Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus. The CSSD had 17.9 percent, the ODS 17.5.

Prime Minister Milos Zeman's CSSD -- just shy of a majority in Parliament -- governs the nation with the support of Klaus' party, which received ranking positions in Parliament and a voice in policy in exchange for its backing.

But according to polls, neither leading party has the popularity of a four-party coalition that includes the Freedom Union (US), Christian Democratic Union (KDU-CSL), Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA) and the Democratic Union (DEU).

This conservative "quad coalition" block -- the Freedom Union was founded by ODS defectors -- holds 20 percent of voter support, and is likely to move to center stage in coming months.

"A success of the quad coalition will determine its success in the election of 2002," said Freedom Union campaign manager Jindrich Zetek.

Ales Kaspar, KDU-CSL campaign manager, called the vote "a starting point and a test."

By contrast, Communist Party (KSCM) First Deputy Chairman Vlastimil Balin said the outcome would have only "an indirect influence" on the government. "I think that in the second half of the next year, parties will be less strict in sticking with the opposition agreement."

Meanwhile, CSSD spokesman Jiri Hron said his party had "shown that it can rule," and that it hoped for a large turnout. Turnout is a key to party prospects, with only about 45 percent of eligible voters expected to participate, down four percent from the 1998 national vote.

But if the ODS does well, pundits are certain Klaus will press his claim to return to the top spot he ceded to Zeman. Recently, Klaus has appealed to Czech nationalist sentiment by lambasting European Union demands for entry. He has also worked diplomatic channels by discussing the controversial Temelin nuclear plant with Austrian officials, who oppose nuclear facilities.

Concluded ODS Deputy Miroslav Benes: "Changes in the government will occur in the year 2002."

Brian Hannon's e-mail address is bhannon@praguepost.cz

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