Zeman's price

Rising above the political noise are two voices speaking a remarkably similar language. Mirek Topolánek and Miloš Zeman are coming at it from different angles but are moving toward the same conclusion: A temporary government formed by ODS, KDU-ČSL and the Greens, supported by a few ČSSD rebels. This could be the surest way to early elections, because such a government can link a confidence vote to a bill that fails to pass in Parliament. Klaus could be forced into appointing the cabinet against his will by being reminded that he called on politicians to agree on either governing or not governing. By choosing not to govern, Topolánek would be putting his head on the block. He'd have to repay Zeman somehow for organizing the current putsch against Jiří Paroubek, and ODS voters might not react nicely when they learned that the price was the presidency.