Klaus dismisses fuss around ODS-ČSSD coalition talks

Prague, Nov 4 (CTK) - Czech President Vaclav Klaus said yesterday he does not comprehend the fuss accompanying the negotiations of the Civic Democrats (ODS) and Social Democrats (CSSD) about a coalition rule in Prague while similar alliances have been created in other large towns.

Klaus spoke to journalists after he parted with outgoing Mayor of Prague Pavel Bem (ODS).

The senior government ODS and the senior opposition CSSD have formed coalitions in eight of 24 statutory towns, including the large towns of Brno, Ostrava and Plzen, since the mid-October local elections.

TOP 09 deputy chairman and Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek told CTK that Klaus's statement cannot surprise anyone.

"The president's circles have been for years anchored in the ODS-CSSD power cartel and this is why Mr President made a very consistent expression," Kalousek said.

He added he might only regret that Petr Necas who was photographed with the ODS candidate for mayor Bohuslav Svoboda on billboards with the slogan "The mayor whom you can trust" had not significantly explained that he was addressing only the president and not Prague voters who had a different opinion.

CSSD acting chairman Bohuslav Sobotka said in a press release Klaus ignores the fact that the Prague ODS has a reputation of a "corrupt group of thieves" headed by "godfathers" from business circles.

He added that the ODS-CSSD coalition in Prague would harm the CSSD's reputations and would not respect the voters' call for a radical change in the capital's management.

Bem, who was mayor of Prague for two four-year terms, said Prague will definitely have some form of a right-wing government.

"I do not assume that the socialists would become leaders at the Prague City Hall. It is only a question of how the coalition relationship will be set," Bem said.

The ODS came second in the Prague elections, the CSSD was third. The victory was scored by the conservative TOP 09.

TOP 09 called on Prime Minister and ODS head Petr Necas on Tuesday to intervene in the Prague coalition negotiations.

It accused the Prague ODS of not being interested in a change of political style, but in keeping the existing cartel of power for the benefit of business groups linked to the ODS and CSSD.

The ODS said this was an offence and quit the negotiations about a coalition. Its regional council and the ODS group of Prague assembly members will discuss further procedure yesterday.

Klaus thanked Bem for his work at the Prague City Hall and said he is convinced that he will be considered one of the most successful mayors of Prague.

Bem, 47, was criticised mainly in his second term for the overpriced Opencard project, used almost only as a public transport subscription chip document, Prague's failed candidacy for hosting the Olympics in 2016 and his negative stand on a new building for the National Library after Jan Kaplicky's design.

During his second term he climbed up Mount Everest and was criticised for a longer absence from his post in this connection.

Bem was elected a deputy to the Chamber of Deputies in May.