Whiner-in-chief

Speaking on F1 radio last night, Václav Klaus took the unusual step of saying he was "offended" by Premier Jiří Paroubek's repeated assertion that he's acting more like ODS's honorary chairman than the Czech president. Adding insult to injury, Paroubek came back a few minutes later and, instead of heeding Klaus's words, again spoke belittlingly of him as the ODS honorary chair. It's easy to see why Klaus is upset. Paroubek was apparently picked for his ability to usher in a Prague-like grand coalition on the national level and to ensure that Klaus is reelected president. But now it looks more like Paroubek wants the top job for Miloš Zeman or, God forbid, for himself. Paroubek has adopted Zeman's use of insults to dispense with political rivals. First Topolánek got the treatment, and now Klaus. By piercing Klaus's armor and causing him to lose his presidential composure, Paroubek is making Klaus look like the whiner-in-chief.