Prague, Nov 4 (CTK) – Czech opposition TOP 09 leader Miroslav Kalousek is ready not to run to the Chamber of Deputies if his name were the only obstacle to form a bloc of right-wing parties against the ANO movement, Kalousek told the server Aktualne.cz Friday.
On Thursday, Kalousek called for the creation of such a bloc. The center-right opposition Civic Democratic Party (ODS) is ready to discuss the option, but the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL, a junior coalition government member) are rather sceptical, citing problems with the manifesto and persons involved.
“If my name were the only barrier to this project, the solution is simple. I would not run at all,” Kalousek said.
“If I speak about painful compromises in the sphere of the programme and persons, I must be ready, too,” he added.
KDU-CSL leader Pavel Belobradek said on Thursday the creation of such a bloc would cause problems in the sphere of the programme and persons.
He said he could hardly imagine KDU-CSL members voting for a list of candidates featuring Kalousek.
In 2009, Kalousek and some Christian Democrat deputies left the party in order to establish TOP 09, which succeeded in elections one year later, while the KDU-CSL for the first time did not enter the Chamber of Deputies.
Belobradek said if Babis’ defeat were the only objective for the alignment of right-wing parties, this would be too little.
Kalousek also proposed that right-wing parties field a joint candidate for the president.
ODS leader Petr Fiala said on Thursday the party was ready to discuss the cooperation.
