Sobotka's defeat in polls is ODS's fault, critics say

Prague, Jan 14 (CTK) - The crushing failure of Premysl Sobotka, candidate of the Czech senior ruling Civic Democrats (ODS), in the first round of the direct presidential election was not caused by him, but by the party's incomprehensible moves in the government, intra-party critics say.

Sobotka, Senate deputy chairman, came last but one with a mere 2.46 percent of the vote in the two-day election on Janaury 11-12.

The two most successful candidates, former prime minister Milos Zeman (Party of Citizens' Rights, SPOZ) and Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg (TOP 09) advanced to the run-off with 24.21 and 23.40 percent, respectively. The second round will be held on January 25-26.

Chamber of Deputies lawmaker Boris Stastny, who is known for his critical comments on the party's work, said the ODS does not probably realise the situation at all.

Jaroslav Kubera, chairman of the ODS senator group, said he does not expect any earthquake to take place in the party over the failure, however.

"The ODS has given up its authentic policy and it has become incomprehensible and untrustworthy for voters," Stastny said.

He said the party leadership is looking for mistakes everywhere but on its part after Sobotka's "alarming and disastrous" result.

"The ODS leadership does not at all realise the situation in which we find ourselves," Stastny said.

Kubera said Necas is too soft in relation to the ODS's government coalition partners, TOP 09 and LIDEM, which discourages voters.

ODS deputy chairman Jiri Pospisil said voters have ceased to identify themselves with ODS policy.

"The ODS leadership and ministers will have to more deeply ponder over how to change the style and content of politics," Pospisil said.

"The ODS is losing trust over people's perception of its governance," Pospisil said.

He said the ODS should set out four or five clear priorities that it will be able to push through by the end of the election term in mid-2014 and that voters will perceive as positive for them.

Pospisil said another reason of the failure of the ODS candidate is the presidential amnesty that he said is very unfortunate.

President Vaclav Klaus declared an extensive amnesty on the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic in his New Year's speech.

The amnesty pardons some prisoners as well as people given suspended sentences and halts criminal prosecution that continued for minimally eight years and the punishment does not carry more than ten years. Critics from across the political spectrum say this will also cover some corruption and fraud cases.