MfD: Godfathers to benefit from Nečas's fall

Prague, Nov 1 (CTK) - The fall of Czech Prime Minister and leader of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) Petr Necas at the forthcoming ODS congress would mean the victory of regional Godfathers of all types, Karel Steigerwald writes in Mlada fronta Dnes yesterday.

If the Godfathers (influential businessmen behind the scene) topple Necas and install some lacklustre figure in his stead, the ODS as a big party would end, Steigerwald writes.

All other explanations of such an act are of minor importance, only serving to calm down the general public, he adds.

The public knows that Necas is being toppled by Godfathers and their relatives, Steigerwald writes.

The ODS was only in a more critical situation after the Sarajevo coup in 1997, Steigerwald writes, recollecting the attempt at ousting former ODS leader, now President Vaclav Klaus.

However, Necas has a certain advantage. While Klaus was accused of having a villa abroad and the ODS was facing the criticism that it deposits money abroad and conducts dubious deals with its sponsors. No one is accusing Necas of anything of this kind at present. However, Klaus was a stronger fighter and perhaps also a bigger strategist, Steigerwald writes.

Necas does not fight and is no strategist, which may be a plus on the Czech political scene that has too many strategists, he adds.

Necas's current political fate is clear: how many ODS members will understand what message would be sent by Necas's fall? Steigerwald asks.

The message is obvious: the process in the ODS in which he tried to get rid of corrupt practices is being postponed, he adds.

It will soon transpire what is behind the pharisaical demands of the ODS rebels. Is it really the protection of right-wing policy? Steigerwald asks.

It would be a strange protection if it pushed the Communists and Social Democrats to a triumph that is all but certain in early elections, he adds.

Necas is the first prime minister who really tried to trigger a fight against corruption and thieves, Steigerwald writes.

He can be criticised, but one thing cannot be denied, he really started the fight, he adds.

There is nothing more difficult than starting a fight against the politics that is full of corruption and there is nothing easier than criticising the beginning, Steigerwald writes,

Either the ODS will continue with the process of renewal and it will eradicate the Godfathers or it will fall and so will the Godfathers, too, he adds.

From the viewpoint of Godfathers, the result will be the same as they will eventually perish, Steigerwald writes.

Those putting up the fight over 1 percent are either madmen or liars, he adds, alluding to the demand by six ODS backbenchers that the government should not increase the VAT by 1 percent or they will not back it in the crucial vote in the Chamber of Deputies.

They may save the rich from an unfair punishment lasting one year and save a few hundred crowns to families, but in the reality, everything will perish, he adds.

The ODS rebels are also against the government proposal to impose a solidarity tax on the highest earners.

In fact, the rebels will push closer to power gentlemen from other times than those ruling in the Necas era, Steigerwald writes.

On Saturday, the ODS will play for everything it has, he concludes.

($1=19.290 crowns)