On Thursday we were wondering what the president would do. This is what we considered to be the worst option: appointment of a caretaker government led by the president’s favourite who could rule even without the parliament’s confidence. That this is exactly where Klaus is heading can be proven by the words uttered during the cabinet’s resignation. The question for the lower house is: Will you find the strength to stop him?
Klaus started as a fairytale king: I will ask the one who brings me 101 votes to form the government. Somehow he forgot to add that the votes should be non-communist. He ruled out support of the turncoat MPs allowing for a big coalition or an alliance of Social Democrats, Christian Democrats and the Communists. Klaus probably presumes the Christian Democrats will not cooperate with the Communists and that the agreement between the ČSSD and the ODS will fall through because both leaders feel deeply wronged. Then he could announce with sadness: The politicians have not reached an agreement, and so I am forced to appoint a caretaker government.
Klaus can shorten this phase into some days. He is sure to have his cabinet ready. In a couple of weeks the puppet prime minister (and so Klaus too) could be leading the EU. What will become of Paroubek’s reassurance that this cabinet will conclude our EU presidency even in resignation?
Perhaps Paroubek likes the idea of Klaus’ cabinet, which he could theatrically oppose. Maybe he has already closed a deal with Klaus. Is he certain, however, that ČSSD voters will welcome the transformation of the Castle into a whimsical power centre as a result of the elimination of Topolánek’s cabinet?
This can only be prevented if Paroubek and Topolánek work together. Unless they want Klaus to take control, they should call a truce. And unite in pushing the president over the ramparts back into the castle courtyard.
