Election Watch: ODS squabble ends

The drawn-out internecine struggle for control of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) has reached a conclusion - for now. Whether the party can recast its image for the May 28-29 elections remains to be seen.

Party leader Mirek Topolánek resigned April 1, ending weeks of uncertainty that followed controversial comments about gays and Jews. In the end, casting Topolánek aside was the only option for a party struggling to forge an identity as it trails its rival, the Social Democrats (ČSSD), in opinion polls with the clock ticking to election time.

Topolánek went out with a whimper and did his best to blame others for his fall, but nonetheless his career as a leading national politician is notable, and there is something to be said for having such an ornery figure opposing ČSSD leader Jiří Paroubek. With no obvious heir apparent to succeed Topolánek, the ODS will likely struggle with itself again this summer.

From a relatively unknown senator from Ostrava, Topolánek ascended to party chief and remained in that spot for seven years, leading the ODS to seven election victories over the period. In the muddled and often dirty world of Czech politics, these are remarkable accomplishments, even if Topolánek bears a significant share of the responsibility for the current vulgar state of political discourse in the Czech Republic.

Topolánek lacked a clear political ideology, and, in the end, this proved his undoing. Without a clear and consistent message, accusations of cronyism and backroom dealing overwhelmed anything substantive coming out from the ODS in recent years. New party leader Petr Nečas does not appear a dynamic orator or skilled political operator, but his reputation as the cleanest man in Czech politics should prove sufficient - to steal a phrase from another man in Prague this week - for hitting the reset button on the party's reputation. That said, this is unlikely to be enough to lead the ODS to victory in May, but a better than expected election showing could see the ODS able to outmaneuver the ČSSD as parties negotiate coalitions after the polls close.

Perhaps, finally, an election season where rival parties debate one another on policy issues can begin, though that might be too optimistic a reading of what's to come.

As the ODS completed its family squabble, Paroubek and the ČSSD stayed relatively quiet. Nečas would be well advised to take the fight to the ČSSD, and not just by calling the Social Democrats pre-election promises unrealistic (which they are), but to do so and then explain clearly the alternative that he and his party are offering.

After resigning, Topolánek went straightaway on vacation to Austria. After seven years of elbows and grappling, plus an unceremonious end, he deserves a break.

Benjamin Cunningham can be reached at
bcunningham@praguepost.com